John R Baum

Jack Baum, age 94, quietly passed away on Wednesday, December 14th at Evergreen in Oshkosh, WI. He had been ill for just the last two months, receiving excellent care at both Mercy Medical Center and Manor View at Evergreen.Born in Baudette, Minnesota on February 11, 1917, Jack was one of 7 children born to Lawrence and Louise (Tepoorten) Baum. He spent his child hood years growing up in Superior, WI. He was the last survivor of his 7 siblings and their spouses, outliving his sister Betty by just over 2 months. Jack was a World War II veteran of the US Army Air Corp, honorably discharged as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1946.On November 29, 1941, Jack married his widow Doris (Damro) Baum. They just recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. They had two children, Thomas J.(Betsy) Baum of Oshkosh and Barbara L (John) Phair of South Bend, Indiana. From them, Jack had 8 grandchildren - Scott (Maggie), David, Brian Baum and Sarah (Michael) Matulka and Kristin (Dan) Wallace, Tim (Kate), Dan (Kristen) & Paul Phair. In addition he had 9 great grandchildren, with another expected near his 95th birthday in early 2012.Jack was both a good story teller, avid reader and bad joke teller. In fact, never a day went by that he did not try out his latest jokes on someone. He had his favorites, but repeated thousands over his life time. He never met a stranger - who he couldnt get to listen to his tales - like it or not. He loved riddles and rhymes - often writing them on the spur of the moment and always had special poems for his favorites - his two granddaughters!Jack was a real grandfather! He enjoyed playing all kinds of games with his grandchildren - teaching them all Cribbage, Rummikub, puzzles and the love of reading. Whenever he could, he watched them participate in sports, confirmations, proms, graduations etc., often free with a little advice.Jack had two primary careers. His first came early in life, where he spent over thirty years with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, ending this chapter as a popular assistant manager in their Oshkosh office. Then, in retirement, he started his second career as a professional volunteer. He spent nearly 20 years working with the St. Vincent DePaul Society, including opening a new operation in Neenah, WI for St Vincent. A plaque commemorating his service to St Vincent was to be presented to Jack for his contributions less than a week from the time he became ill just this year.In addition, Jack helped open the Overflow Foodbank of Omro (Second Harvest) and volunteered there for many years. He was active for decades at St Marys Catholic Church (Blessed Sacrament), the Oshkosh Chapter of Barbershoppers, the Place-2-B and many other non-profits during his second career, including strong support for Lourdes High School of Oshkosh.Preceding Jack in death besides his parents were his six brother and sisters - Edward (Marie), Ralph and Larry Baum, all formerly of California, and two sisters Helen (Walter) Pike of Point Richmond, CA and Betty (Henry) Demeyer of Richland, Washington. Jacks older brother Bob, was a World War II casualty. Jack had numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, many of whom gather in regular Tepoorten family reunions - which Jack enjoyed attendingA Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday December 17, 2011 at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, St Marys Church (605 Merritt Ave.) with Father James Jugenheimer officiating. The Mass will be preceded by two hours of a gathering celebrating Jacks long life at the church from 9 to 11 AM for all friends and family. Jack will be buried in a family plot at the Trinity Ev. Lutheran Cemetery in Kaukauna, WI on Monday. A lunch will be served following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the St Vincent DePaul Society, care of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation (230 Ohio St. Suite 100 Oshkosh, WI 54902-9905). The Konrad Behlman Funeral Home is in charge of services and comments to the Baum family can be made at www.Konrad-behlman.com.Konrad-Behlman Funeral Homes920-231-1510www.konrad-behlman.com

Most Blessed Sacrament-St. Mary Site



442 Monroe St
Oshkosh
WI
54901

Saturday, December 17, 2011
9 a.m. to the service time



Most Blessed Sacrament-St. Mary Site



442 Monroe St
Oshkosh
WI
54901

Saturday, December 17, 2011
11:00 a.m.



Trinity Ev Lutheran Cemetery Kaukauna