On Monday, July 24, 2023, Beverly "Bev" A. (Ellis) Baumgart, age 89, was shown just how beautiful Heaven really is.

On January 28, 1934, a snowy Sunday morning, Bev was born in Argonne, WI to the late Floyd and Eleanor (Novak) Ellis.

As a child, Bev and her family moved around- From Argonne to Plainfield, from Plainfield to Stark, from Stark to Appleton. Their moves had purpose- to bring them closer to family. Although Bev was an only child, she had no trouble making her cousins her siblings. She shared her fondest childhood memories with them playing and exploring the outdoors.

In February of 1954, Bev was bowling at a church event for young singles when she met Walter "Butch" Baumgart. To this day she could still remember the light green shirt he was wearing. After a brief courtship, Butch and Bev were married on November 20, 1954, at Sacred Heart Parish in Appleton. They were blessed with 8 children- raising them with faith, love, and laughter.

Bev was a patient, understanding and loving person, all of which made her a wonderful mother. Despite her quiet demeanor, Bev could be feisty. She knew how to hold her own when raising her children. Lucky for them, she almost always had things straightened out before Butch came home from work. Bev loved reminiscing, sharing stories of her children's shenanigans, which guaranteed you a laugh. Bev was a dedicated wife and they had an adventurous marriage. She enjoyed traveling- but preferred to keep her feet on the ground. From their home in Greenville to Moshawquit Lake. Then traveling the United States in their 5th wheel to a home in Arizona. After 5 years in Arizona they decided to settle back in Little Chute near their family. She and Butch enjoyed many trips together over the years- anniversary getaways to Hawaii and Branson, MO, for some country music were some of her favorites. Three days short of their 65th wedding anniversary, Butch passed away.

Bev really knew her way around a kitchen. From canning to baking and cooking, it didn't matter. She made the best cinnamon rolls, her cookie jar was never empty, and she took the most pride in her famous chicken feet soup.

Bev felt her greatest accomplishment was her family.

Along with her faith, family was most important and she enjoyed watching hers continue to grow. She was proud to display her picture of the entire family, and knew which babies were missing when an update was needed. Bev enjoyed putting together special things for her family- Handmade ornaments at Christmastime and a cookbook with her picture on the cover, to name a few. Bev's most recent project was a memoir that she gave her children and grandchildren.

Bev appreciated the beauty of life's simple things- pink roses and cardinals had special meaning to her and she held those memories closely in her heart.

Bev will be missed by her children: James (Joan), Seymour; Robert (Sheila), Greenville; Thomas (Amy), Greenville; Joanne (Tom) Christianson, Neenah; Daniel (late Barbara), Hortonville; Terrance (Terri), Shiocton; Jill (late Mark) Disterhaft, Appleton; and son in law, Tom Smet, Seymour; 22 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren and counting. She is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Bev was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Butch; her daughter, Susan Smet; daughter-in-law, Barbara; son-in-law, Mark Disterhaft; Butch's parents, Fred and Nell (Coenen) Baumgart; brothers-in-law: Wilfred (Catherine), Gordon (Edith) and Howard (Bernice) Baumgart; and sisters-in-law: Alice (Henry) Van Lankveldt and Marcella (Jerome) Evers.

Visitation for Bev will be held Monday, July 31, 2023, at ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE CATHOLIC CHURCH (411 Vandenbroek Street, Little Chute) beginning at 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Ronald Belitz officiating. Committal St. John Cemetery.

Bev wanted to give a special thanks to: Rebecca, your weekly visits to pray the rosary gave her much comfort; Ron and Jolayne Van Lankveldt for serving her communion; and Tom Huven for the constant support and maintaining her yard year round.

Our family would like to thank Bev's wonderful team of caregivers and Preceptor Home Health Hospice for all they have done to care for her and assure she has been comfortable.

"Don't forget to stop and smell the roses." - Beverly Baumgart