Martha (Marcy) Lucille Baumgart, 87, passed away on Thursday, September 28th, 2023, surrounded by family.

Martha Lucille Donatell was born on May 12th, 1936, in Shell Lake, WI.

She was the third of three children born to her parents, Martha (Skille) and Frank Donatell. Upon graduating from Spooner High School, Marcy worked at the local grocery store as a cashier. This is where she met the love of her life, Stanley William Baumgart, who worked in the produce department. Marcy attended St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN for one year as she contemplated becoming a nun; however, she felt called to serve the Lord in other ways. Over the years, she spoke fondly of the Benedictine nuns and her time at St. Scholastica.

On August 27th, 1955, Marcy and Stan were married at St. Francis de Sales church. They enjoyed a honeymoon in Duluth and on the north shore of Lake Superior, which became a favorite destination for family picnics, hikes and camping adventures. Marcy and Stan began their life together in Milwaukee, WI where Marcy later joked about learning how to cook and maintain a clean and tidy household. The couple returned to Spooner in 1956 and started their beloved family of seven children, who were raised in the home Marcy was born and raised in, built by her father.

Throughout her lifetime, Marcy served others in many capacities and enjoyed keeping her life interesting and challenging. She completed her EMT certification in 1984 and blessed many patients and colleagues with her quick advocacy, humor and the skilled and loving manner she provided care to those around her. Always ready to jump into action during an emergency, Marcy remained an EMT and went on to be a supervisor at the Spooner ambulance garage for many years, until her retirement nearly 30 years later. Marcy was tenacious and while her family was her first priority, she was compelled to serve others. Always independent, Marcy took a test in the early 1990’s as part of the application process to work at the Washburn County Sheriff’s Department. She scored at the top of the list and was hired as a dispatcher/jailer. Marcy was later promoted to jail Sergeant and touched many lives through this career as she treated everyone she encountered with kindness and always advocated for those who needed it, until her retirement in 2002. Marcy’s work ethic was tremendous and when she wasn’t volunteering as a catechism teacher for youth, making a meal for a family or serving church luncheons after funeral services, she was canning hundreds of quarts of tomatoes and pickles or working in her beautiful flower garden.

While Marcy enjoyed fulfillment in all areas of her life, her conviction was sharing the love of Christ with everyone she met. While still raising a big family, Marcy and Stan welcomed multiple foster children, exchange students and missionaries into their home. She would say, “What’s a few more?” Her family, children and grandchildren were Marcy’s greatest joy and there was always enough spaghetti, or another delicious meal, ready for anyone who stopped by, which was part of the bright light that Marcy shared with everyone. All were welcome at Marcy and Stan’s table for the tradition of morning coffee break, where countless stories and prayers were shared by many over the years.

Marcy will be remembered by her welcoming and generous spirit, ability to laugh at herself and connect with others and by her deep faith. She leaves behind a powerful legacy of living life to the very fullest, staying young in mind, body and spirit and loving her family, friends and Christ fiercely.

Marcy is survived by her seven children: Terry (MaryAnn) of New Ulm, MN, Robert (Naomi) of Loves Park, IL, John of Ramsey, MN, Peter (Mary) of Springbrook, WI, Paul of Shell Lake, WI, Michael (Irene) of Hudson, WI, Martha (Ted Hampe) of Shell Lake, WI; 20 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Stan Baumgart, sister Carole Kubnick, brother Jim Donatell and her parents Martha and Frank Donatell.

A funeral service will be held at St. Francis de Sales church in Spooner on Saturday, October 14th, 2023, at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Last Update: Oct 04, 2023 7:01 am CDT