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Donn E. Baumgarten, Shirley Protz

Donn E. Baumgarten

Donn Earl Baumgarten, age 49, of Tomah, WI, passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2009, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. He was born on June 16, 1960, to Gale and Helen Baumgarten. He was a 1978 graduate of Tomah High School.

Donn worked for eight years on the Gary Jensen Cranberry Marsh. He then took over the family farm, which he ran for three years. He then worked for Toro for a few years before purchasing Bunk’s Meat Market in Kendall in 1998. In 1999 he renamed the business Don’s Quality Meats, where he was still currently operating.

He was united in marriage to Karen Olson on Feb. 8, 2003. Donn loved the outdoors, especially turkey and deer hunting, camping, four wheeling and fishing. He enjoyed sitting around campfires, telling stories and talking smart. He loved spending time with his family and loved ones more than anything.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Baumgarten of Tomah; his mother, Helen Baumgarten of Tomah; his children, Kristi Baumgarten and Michael (Lara) Baumgarten, all of Kendall; stepchildren, Jenny Lein of Ripon, Kyra Lein of Camp Douglas, and James Lein of Camp Douglas; a grandson, Kaden Baumgarten of Kendall, Reed and Raiden Lein of Ripon and one expected granddaughter; brothers, Dave (Helen) Baumgarten of Springbrook, Dean (Priscilla) Baumgarten of Tomah, Dennis Baumgarten of Tomah and Dan (Bernise) Baumgarten of Tomah; a special aunt, Jeanette Baumgarten of La Crosse; special high school friends, Mike Stump, Frank Stump and Lee Jaromin; special neighbors, Bob and Linda Stump and LaVern Bernhardt.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gale.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 15, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Tomah. Pastor William Swan will officiate. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Tuesday, July 14,from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Shirley Protz

Shirley Protz, 72, of Tomah, passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2009, at the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin after a brief illness. She was born on January 31, 1937, to Alvin and Loretta (Drowatzky) Jackson in rural Monroe County, Wisconsin. Shirley was a 1954 graduate of Tomah High School.

Following high school she attended cosmetology school and then went to work for the Blado Beauty Shop in Tomah. She was united in marriage to Roger Protz on May 23, 1959 at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tomah. Shirley worked at GTC Auto Supply in the mornings while raising her family. She later went to work at Union Camp until she retired.

She enjoyed knitting, quilting, camping with family in Northern Wisconsin, traveling and reading. Her favorite times were spent with her family and she especially cherished time with her grandchildren. Shirley had a special bond with her sister Lois, it was a common saying in the family “It was never just Lois, or ever just Shirley, it was always, Lois and Shirley”. In her later years she was the sole caregiver to her husband Roger, whom she always put first in her life. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

She is survived by her husband, Roger Protz; her children, Becky (Gordy) Korthals of Oshkosh, WI, Bobbi (Steve) Goodman of Kapolei, Hawaii and Diane (Chris) Muller of Onalaska, WI; grandchildren, Megan Cottrill, Allison Korthals, Jacob Cottrill, Taylor Korthals, Mitchell Muller and Amanda Muller; sisters and brothers, Lois (Duane) Prise of Tomah, WI, Karen (Michael) Penneau of Nashotah, WI, Stanley (Shirley) Jackson, of Bradenton, FL, and Gordon (Kristine) Jackson, Portage, WI; sisters-in-law, Anne, Marian, Marguerite and Ruth Protz; aunts, Grace and Rita; many nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Loretta.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tomah. Pastor Curt Backhaus will officiate. Burial will follow in the Wyeville Cemetery, Wyeville, Wisconsin. Family and friends are invited for visitation Monday, July 13, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m.. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences www..torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.