Joe Patrick Baumann
March 18, 1944 - December 18, 2023
Obituary
MADISON- Joe Baumann, age 79, died peacefully the evening of Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at Meriter Hospital in Madison. He suffered from complications related to an unexplained infection. Joe was born on March 18, 1944, and was adopted as an infant by Bertha (Haag) and Francis X. Baumann. He grew up in Madison and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin in Economics in 1972. He met Karen Rasmussen in college and they married in 1966. Joe said repeatedly that marrying Karen was the best thing he’d ever done.
Joe served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 2002 as a reservist with deployments to Long Binh, Vietnam in 1968-69 and in 1991 to Landstuhl, Germany during Desert Storm, attaining the rank of Command Sergeant Major. He was very proud of graduating from the Sergeants Major Academy in 1984.
Joe and Karen have two children, Jennifer and Jason. Joe served as the “Badge Banana” for Jennifer’s Girl Scout troop and was Den, Pack and Troop Leader for Jason’s Boy Scout groups for many years. Professionally Joe was a painting contractor and took over Baumann Paint Company founded by his father in the 1920s.
In retirement, Joe became a “Professional Veteran.” He was a member of VFW Post 7591, American Legion Post 534, Amvets Post 151, Cooties Pup Tent 41, and Sad Sacks Sack 98 and was an active leader of several of these organizations. His military friends and activities brought him camaraderie, laughs, aggravation, and great joy and satisfaction in a job well done.
Joe is survived by his wife, Karen Baumann; son, Jason Baumann; daughter, Jennifer (Baumann) Rozinski; and son-in-law, Jeff Rozinski.
A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, Wis., at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, with military honors to follow. A luncheon and reminiscing will continue at VFW POST 7591, 301 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, on Friday. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations which will be divided among Ruck 22, Badger Honor Flight, and other charities.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
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