Doris Baum

Doris Lucille Baum, age 92, quietly passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Bethel Home in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She had been ill for just the last month, receiving excellent care from Mercy Medical Center, Affinity Hospice, and Bethel Home. Doris was born at home in Kaukauna, WI on July 19, 1921. She was the only child born to Otto Damro and Bertha Berdie Lightsey. She spent most of her childhood in the Kaukauna area although living for a time in New Orleans and Florida. She graduated from Kaukauna High School in 1939. On November 23, 1941, just two weeks before Pearl Harbor, Doris married John Jack Baum. Just before Jack's death in 2011, they had celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary. They had two children, Thomas J. (Elizabeth) Baum of Oshkosh and Barbara L. (John) Phair of South Bend, Indiana. From them Doris had 8 grandchildren -Scott (Maggie), David Baum, Brian Baum and Sarah (Michael) Matulka, and Kristin (Dan) Wallace, Tim (Kate), Dan (Kristen) & Paul Phair. In addition she had 11 great grandchildren, including the latest born just 2 days before her passing. In fact, Doris was able to see and hear the new infant just a few hours after his birth and a short time before her death. Doris also had several special cousins, Mark Hoegh of Oshkosh, WI, Mary Coppes and Cleo McClure of Kaukauna, and the late Kathleen Gilson and Herbert Coppes of Kaukauna, plus many nieces and nephews. Doris was an only child but grew up In a loving environment of the Huebner family with many relatives in the Kaukauna area. Doris loved her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. They were always the focus of her life. She was often asked to hold/cuddle the newest baby. She had a way of calming the most obstinate of the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sometimes it took bribes of her favorite kid-fare, grilled cheese sandwiches, french toast or the best rice krispie treats around, something no visit was ever complete without. But the really little babies were her specialty. She would rock them for hours. Many would say her real mission in life was as a caregiver for others. For Jack, she took care of him his whole life. For her Aunt Alice and Uncle Mark, who celebrated over 75 years of marriage, she seldom missed an opportunity to run to Kaukauna to assist them in many ways. She helped several neighbors during difficult periods. She always wanted to be considered ONLY after all others were taken care of. She was horrified at ever being the center of attention! Doris always enjoyed doing the laundry. She will see to it that heaven will have a ready supply of clean towels and fresh sheets! Doris held positions early in her work life with Miles Kimball and Lenox Candles. Later she spent fourteen years with Mercy Hospital working in their food service area retiring in 1983. While in her eighties, Doris became a Catholic and member of St Mary's Parish (now Blessed Sacrament). She was also blessed with many close people in her life, including neighbors Diane and Dan, Angie and family, Tom and Jan, and, of course, the Kringels. Her day was not complete without a morning and evening call from Liz. She had a special Godchild Julie, and a "second daughter", Sherry. In addition, both of her extended in-law families, the Bonds, especially Chris & Sami, and Phairs, loved Doris. Her special caregivers Mary & Carolyn made her life better for the last 18 months. And a very special blessing was her driver, lawn man, handyman and breakfast companion, grandson David. Doris will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Jack, at The Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Kaukauna, WI. At Doris' request, no funeral service will be held at this time. A celebration of her life will be held for Oshkosh area friends and neighbors and family on Saturday, November 30 at 11 AM with a visitation starting at 10 AM at St Mary's Church /Blessed Sacrament in Oshkosh, WI, followed by a luncheon. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Oshkosh Parks Department Memorial Tree Program (Menominee Park), PO Box 1130, 805 Witzel Ave., Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at 11 S. LaSalle St, Suite 1800, Chicago, Illinois, 60603, or a donation of your choice. The Konrad Behlman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and comments to the Baum family can be made at www.Konrad-Behlman.com

Trinity Lutheran Cemetery




Kaukauna
WI







Oshkosh Parks Department Memorial Tree Program



P.O. Box 1130
Oshkosh
WI
54903






Juvenile Diabetes Research



11 S. LaSalle St. Suite 1800
Chicago
IL
60603






Most Blessed Sacrament-St. Mary Site



442 Monroe St
Oshkosh
WI
54901

00:00.0
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.



Most Blessed Sacrament-St. Mary Site



442 Monroe St
Oshkosh
WI
54901

00:00.0
11:00 a.m.