James Baumgartner

Funeral services for James Baumgartner, 79, were held Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Iona Methodist Church of Iona, SD with Father Godfrey Muwanga officiating. A prayer service was held at Kotrba Funeral Home Monday night at 7 p.m.

Music was provided by Bob Wik, vocalist, singing "The Green, Green Grass of Home" and "On the Wings of a Dove" accompanied by Bette Fogel, pianist. Congregational hymns were "The Old Rugged Cross" and "How Great Thou Art."

Theresa Young and Delaine Ellis were in charge of registration.

Casket bearers were Rodney Baumgartner, Ronald Baumgartner, Randy Baumgartner, James E. Baumgartner, Dr. Joy Assman, Tracey Baumgartner, and Dustin Baumgartner.

Honorary Pallbearers were Chelsey Baumgartner, Jayden Assman, Cylas Assman, Cully Assman, Carter Baumgartner, Tim Talsma, Keith Talsma, Bob Ellis, and Baby to Be Baumgartner.

Military honors were conferred by the Gregory American Legion. Interment was in the Iona Cemetery, Iona, SD.

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James Baumgartner was born September 23, 1931 on the family farm near Hague, ND. He was the second of seven children born to Joseph J. and Cecilia (Hulm) Baumgartner. He passed away on October 22, 2010 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

James grew up on the family farm near Hague, ND where he attended country school. He was drafted into the United State Marine Corps on March 25, 1952 and discharged March 12, 1954. While he was in the service he received training in California and Hawaii and was deployed to Korea.

When he was discharged from the war he returned to ND and began working for Albrecht custom combining crew which took him to many different towns in SD. One of the towns in particular was White River, SD where he met his wife Sharyn Huber. They were married on June 18, 1958 and 5 children were born to this union. They lived in various towns in South Dakota, North Dakota and Wyoming while working construction jobs before settling down and raising their children on Sharyn's grandparents homestead northwest of Iona, SD along the Bull Creek.

James had a love for horses and cattle which he cared for with his first tractor a Super M. He had numerous horses over the years but one particular was named Fred. James broke him to ride and taught him to jump into the back of the pickup. No stack racks or anything - that horse would ride in the back waiting to get to the next place to chase cattle.

James took great pride in being a rancher and he took exceptional care of everything he owned, especially his tractors and vehicles. He purchased his first cab tractor an International 986, that was an important milestone in his life.

Pa had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren. He attended various activities such as pedal tractor pulls, baseball and basketball games and school programs.

Whenever he would call his children the first question was "how are my grandkids". He loved playing with them and just watching them grow up over the years.

There was also an extra special place in his heart for mom's cat T-Ger Belle. Mom had gotten T-Ger Belle before she passed away and after she was gone Pa took care of her making sure she had everything she needed. This included a spot on the bed to sleep and her own chair to sit in the mornings where she would talk to him. Another special animal was his dog, Larry . Now Pa would admit that he might not be the smartest dog but he did enjoy having him.

James loved rodeos and going to Frontier Days in White River. He was also a member of the American Legion in White River.

James had many special friends that he enjoyed stopping to chat with whenever he had the chance. He loved to take his electrical bill in to drop off, knowing he would get to chat with Sue Chytka. He loved the cards he got from her during the times he had surgery and taking chemo. Going to Al's Oasis grocery store and having Jack Griss carry out his groceries was a big highlight in his day. Jack always had a story to tell Pa and he loved that. If someone else went to Al's he would ask "Did you see Jack?" "What did he have to say?" Another person that James had a lot of respect for was Emmett Kotrba. They both had surgery on the same day for cancer. Dad always wanted to make sure things were going good for him.

James was preceded in death by his wife Sharyn, his parents Joseph J. and Cecilia, 4 siblings: Adam- Charles - and infants Joseph and Eva, father and mother-in-law Art and Anna Huber.

He is survived by his 5 children: Rodney (Pam) of Gillette, WY - Ronald (Linda) of Reliance, SD - Randy (Carleen) of Reliance, SD - James E. (Karen) of Reliance, SD, and Dr. Joy (Rick) Assman of Kimball, SD. And by eight grandchildren: Tracey (Jerrad Adams), Chelsey, Dustin, Carter, Baby to Be, Jayden, Cylas and Cully; and by two brothers: Joseph F. (Emy) Baumgartner of Bismark, ND and Walter (Lea) Baumgartner also of Bismark, ND and a sister-in-law Shirley Baumgartner of Hague, ND, and by many nieces, nephews and his special animals T-Ger Belle and Larry.