Ralph P. Baumgart

Ralph Paul Baumgart, age 85, of De Pere, who had a heart of gold, went into the arms of the Lord peacefully on Friday, January 6, 2023 with his family by his side. The son of Alouez and Mary Baumgart was born September 23, 1937 in De Pere. He was a great husband, father and grandpa. On November 22, 1958 he married the love of his life, Mary Ann Kramer at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in De Pere.

His catholic faith was extremely important to him. He and Mary Ann were members of St. Francis Xavier and St. Mary Parishes in De Pere. Together, Ralph and Mary Ann were devoted farmers. They had a great love for all animals and welcomed all new life on the farm. Ralph was a man who loved the land and all four seasons. There is a time to plant the fields, time to make hay, time to gather the crops and plow and time to renew and plan ahead for next year.

Dad always showed us how to have strength, compassion, sincere love for the land and what it provides us with. Dad taught all his children the important lessons in life about working hard, being honest and enjoying the simple times of life. One of his greatest accomplishments was raising cattle that sold in many different states and overseas. Dad never had trouble making friends. His kind and welcoming personality made it easy to love him. Everywhere he went someone knew him. Ralph treasured his new and life-long friends, as well as his neighbors. His smile always shined through listening and laughing at our conversations. One of his favorite sayings was: “You’re never dressed unless you have a smile on.”

Ralph is survived by his children: Terri & Gary Lasecki, Carolyn & Keith Rukamp, Sharon & Tom Davister, Mike & Lana Baumgart, Karen Baumgart and friend Randy; grandchildren, Nickolas & Josie Rukamp, Brent & Emily Rukamp, Melissa & Curt Walt, Alley Joski, Taylor Joski, Tiffany Joski, Brandy & Austin Bitter, Brad & Hannah Baumgart, Alex Baumgart, Amanda & Adam Brennan, Matt & Whitney Davister; 18 great-grandchildren; sister Evelyn Warpinski; sister-in-law Pat Baumgart; brother-in-law Jim Van Den Langenberg; nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Ralph is further survived by Jean (Larry) Gillis, Joe (Ellen) Kramer, and Pat (Nolan) Tebon. He will also be sadly missed by his dog, Brownie.

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann; infant daughter Kathleen Marie; siblings: Phillip Baumgart, Gladys Van Den Langenberg, Clarence (Mary) Baumgart, Gale (Mildred) Fenlon; brother-in-law Francis Warpinski, and his step-family.

Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N Webster Ave, De Pere, on Wednesday, January 11, from 4-6:30pm. A parish prayer service will be held at 6:30pm. Visitation will continue on Thursday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Drive, Ledgeview, from 9:30am until 10:45am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am with Fr. Mike Ingold officiating.

Our family would like to thank Dr. Goolsby and his staff as well as the caregivers at St. Vincent Hospital for all they did for dad and our family.

I am going to stand tall and never lose sight of walking to my Lord, God, and find my loved ones that have gone before me. Love, Dad.