RAPID CITY-Wendlin (Wendy) Paul Baumgartner passed away peacefully at home, May 20th at the age of 92. He was born March 8th 1925, to Sebastian and Magdalena (Grosz) Baumgartner in Strasburg, North Dakota, the 9th of 16 children.

Wendlin served with distinction during WWII with the 96th Dead Eye division in Okinawa earning a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. On August 28, 1946, he married Donna Marie Heim in Faulkton, South Dakota. They moved to Wahpeton, North Dakota so he could attend North Dakota School of Science where he received his electrical training. Wendlin and Donna moved to Rapid City in 1949 when he accepted a position at Ellsworth Air Force Base where he worked as a master electrician.

He was instrumental in the formation of the National Federation of Federal Employees at Ellsworth. He retired from Ellsworth AFB in 1987 and along with his army tour had 42 years of Federal Service. In 1953, he built the house in which he lived until the time of his death. He and Donna raised their 17 children in this home. Wendlin co-founded his own electrical contracting business (A&B Electric) to help support his growing family. He volunteered his services frequently as a member of St. John's/St. Therese parish in Rapid City, as well as with the Knights of Columbus.

He was active in coaching Little League baseball in the late 1960's. Wendlin passed his love of pheasant hunting to his sons, and for over 65 years, they traveled to the Faulkton area to be there on opening day. He hunted with his brothers, sons, grandsons and even great-grandsons. He took pride in his lush green lawn that he mowed with his prized John Deere, which he also used to clear snow for his home and many of his neighbor's for several blocks.

He and Donna enjoyed taking their family on annual cross-country road trips when the children were younger. Later in life, they traveled to see their children and grandchildren and also visited Germany and Rome. He traveled to Branson, Missouri for a reunion with members of his WWII division. His favorite TV show was "Wheel of Fortune" and he enjoyed watching and commenting on news of the day.

Wendlin is preceded in death by his wife Donna, his parents, 13 of his siblings and one son-in-law.

He is mourned by all of his children: Gloria (Pat) Cain, Iowa, Thomas (Sharon), Rapid City, Stephen (Barbara), New York, Jerome (Teresa), Iowa, Elaine, Rapid City, Loretta (Tom) Pillatzki, South Dakota, Richard, Rapid City, Joseph, Wyoming, Charles, Rapid City, John (Jane), Missouri, Andrew (Cheryl), New York, Ronald, Arizona, Robert, Arizona, Craig (Belinda), Texas, Dale (Sarah), West Virginia, Gary, Texas, Kevin, Minnesota, 43 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren, his sister Margaret, and his brother Tony.

In lieu of flowers, the family will be donating all memorial money to the Catholic School System of Rapid City.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, at St. Therese, the Little Flower (532 Adams St.) with a Christian Wake Service and rosary at 7:00 p.m.

A requiem mass will be offered at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 26 at St. Therese, the Little Flower, with Rev. Kerry Prendiville presiding.

Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery with full military honors rendered by the Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the South Dakota Army National Guard.