Laverne R. Baumgart

Laverne “Gooey” Rodney Baumgart, 82, of Merrill, passed away on July 5 at his residence in Merrill, WI. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, July 12 at 11:00 A.M. at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, with military rites conducted by V.F.W. Post 1638, Merrill. A lunch will follow the service. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 12 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Bell Tower Residence, Merrill, WI. Vern was born February 12, 1940, in Merrill, Wisconsin to Alvin and Lillian (Block) Baumgart. He graduated from Merrill High School in 1958 where he played on the basketball team. Vern was united in marriage to Juliana Dorothy Zimmerman on May 6, 1961, in Merrill. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1965 and served two years including time in Kitzingen, Germany where Julie accompanied him. After his military service, Vern began his banking career with People’s Bank in Green Bay where he worked until his retirement in 1998 from Bank One. Vern supported the Cerebral Palsy Center in Green Bay and worked at their annual telethon for many years. Vern served his community by being the director of March of Dimes and the director of Cerebal Palsy in the Green Bay area. After retirement, Vern and Julie moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where they lived for ten years before moving to Northern Virginia to be closer to their grandchildren. In 2009, they returned to Green Bay where Vern enjoyed golfing with friends. In 2020, he and Julie returned to Merrill. Vern was especially fond of recalling his experiences serving in the Army. He also enjoyed attending Green Bay Packers and UW-Green Bay Phoenix basketball games. Vern is survived by his wife of 62 years, Julie; daughter, Amy (Steve) Hood and two grandsons, Zach and Owen Hood, in Oakton, Virginia; brothers, Dick (Gay), Roger (Donna) and Virgil (Marilyn) all in Merrill; sister, Mary Rutell in Milwaukee; and sisters-in-law, Carol Frederick and Faye (Jerry) Marnholtz. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Gloria (Robert) Noel; brothers, Beryl Baumgart and Larry (Beverly) Baumgart; and brother-in-law, Robert Frederick. We would like to thank the staff at Bell Tower Residence and Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Service for the care and support they provided to Vern. Taylor-Stine Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Merrill, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com