KARIN BAUMGAERTEL

Karin Baumgaertel, age 88, of Elburn, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of her family, Friday, July 7, 2023.

Karin grew up in Markneukirchen, a small town in eastern Germany. She received her Abitur in Plauen, where she lived with her grandparents while attending school there during the week. Encouraged by her physician father, Karin became a medical lab technician after earning her license in 1957 in East Berlin. Having survived WWII, Nazi occupation of her house and Soviet occupation of her town, she managed to sneak into West Berlin before the wall was built. However, returning later to see her dying father, the East German border patrol caught her and warned her she would be arrested if she ever tried to leave again. Apparently, a communist party member at a social gathering was unaware of this history and in his boasting of a planned visit to West Berlin, offered a ride to Karin who was then escorted out of the country that had warned her never to leave. 

Karin then lived in West Germany (West Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Heidelberg). Her future husband Karl was already settled in the U.S., and in a whirlwind romance, met Karin on a visit to Heidelberg. They were married a year later (December 17, 1961) in Dayton, Ohio. Sons Peter (Bernd) and Rolf were born in Kentucky near their early home in WV. They ultimately settled in Youngstown, Ohio where Karl practiced neurology (later in Warren). Daughter Ingrid (Ramos) was born there a few years later. Karin and Karl retired first to Athens, Ohio where Karin was active in the Athens Friends and Newcomer committee as well as in mahjong groups. As life quieted down, they moved to Glenwood, a senior living community in Marietta, Ohio to be closer to son Rolf, an attorney, and his family. When Karl’s health required more support, they moved to Elburn in 2008 to live with Ingrid and her family.  Bernd, an Illinois radiologist, was also nearby. 

Despite emotional and physical challenges, she showed remarkable courage, endurance, and grace while caring for her husband until his death in 2015.  Karin’s life was dedicated to her family which included 8 grandchildren.  Her children grew up with love, security, and an appreciation for both their German heritage and American freedoms.

Karin is survived by her 3 children, Peter Bernd (Maria), Rolf (Shara) and Ingrid (Rolando); 8 grandchildren, Andrea, Emma, Karl, Noah, Johannes Baungartel, Marcus, Mirella, and Eric Ramos. Karin is preceded in death by her parents Gerhard and Elle Schmidt, sisters Maria (Rudolph) Stöckel and Ute (Walter) Schulze.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

Private family services have already been held.