KERRVILLE, TEXAS - Phyllis A Baumgartner, age 90 and formerly of Lancaster, Wisconsin, passed away on December 21, 2010 at her home in Kerrville, Texas. The former Phyllis Ferguson was born December 1, 1920 in Frankfort, Indiana, the daughter of Chester and Ethel (Price) Ferguson. The family moved to Albany, Wisconsin while she was a young child. She attended schools in Albany and on August 15, 1938 she married Kenneth Lee Baumgartner. After living in Albany for several years, the couple moved to Lancaster in 1953 and moved to Kerrville in 1995. Phyllis and Ken remained happily married for over 66 years until his death in 2005.
Phyllis was very active throughout her time living in Lancaster. She taught piano for over forty years and remained active in several musical organizations, including directing the church choir at the United Methodist Church. She served as Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star and also several years as a member of the Lancaster City Council. Prior to that she served on the Lancaster City Council. Prior to that she served on the Lancaster Park Board and was active in both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Phyllis volunteered in the local adult literacy program and was also an accomplished artist, working in oils, pastels, and pen and ink. She won several local and national awards in recognition of her work. She served as State regent for the Wisconsin Daughters of the American Revolution and during her tenure she was instrumental in the placement and dedication of a memorial plaque at the Pleasant Ridge in rural Lancaster, the resting place of many members of the first African-American settlement in Wisconsin. Phyllis was recognized by the Wisconsin State Historical Society and the Office of the Governor for her efforts. She was also very active in garden clubs and had a green thumb for growing award winning orchids. Phyllis and her husband were world travelers and made treks to the Baumgartner ancestral village in Switzerland, along with the Ferguson ancestral lands in Scotland. One adventure took them on a trip around the world, visiting the Great Pyramids, the Eiffel Tower and other wonders of the world. The most cherished legacy she left her family was a wonderful sense of humor.
She is survived by one daughter, Linda (Peter) Udelhoven of New Braunfels, Texas; sons Philip (Cathy) Baumgartner of Las Cruses, New Mexico; and Scott (Dr. Mary Lee) Baumgartner of Chicago, Illinois; sister Vicki (Henry) Leuenberger of Brodhead, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Anthony Udelhoven, Natalie Eades, Peter Udelhoven, Christopher Baumgartner, Justin Baumgartner, Bradley Baumgartner; and step grandson Mendrey; great grandchildren, Nicholas and Natasha Eades, Emily and Daniel Udelhoven, and Amanda Baumgartner.
A memorial service has been held in Kerrville and a memorial service is planned for later this year in Lancaster to place her cremains alongside those of her husband.
Phyllis was very active throughout her time living in Lancaster. She taught piano for over forty years and remained active in several musical organizations, including directing the church choir at the United Methodist Church. She served as Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star and also several years as a member of the Lancaster City Council. Prior to that she served on the Lancaster City Council. Prior to that she served on the Lancaster Park Board and was active in both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Phyllis volunteered in the local adult literacy program and was also an accomplished artist, working in oils, pastels, and pen and ink. She won several local and national awards in recognition of her work. She served as State regent for the Wisconsin Daughters of the American Revolution and during her tenure she was instrumental in the placement and dedication of a memorial plaque at the Pleasant Ridge in rural Lancaster, the resting place of many members of the first African-American settlement in Wisconsin. Phyllis was recognized by the Wisconsin State Historical Society and the Office of the Governor for her efforts. She was also very active in garden clubs and had a green thumb for growing award winning orchids. Phyllis and her husband were world travelers and made treks to the Baumgartner ancestral village in Switzerland, along with the Ferguson ancestral lands in Scotland. One adventure took them on a trip around the world, visiting the Great Pyramids, the Eiffel Tower and other wonders of the world. The most cherished legacy she left her family was a wonderful sense of humor.
She is survived by one daughter, Linda (Peter) Udelhoven of New Braunfels, Texas; sons Philip (Cathy) Baumgartner of Las Cruses, New Mexico; and Scott (Dr. Mary Lee) Baumgartner of Chicago, Illinois; sister Vicki (Henry) Leuenberger of Brodhead, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Anthony Udelhoven, Natalie Eades, Peter Udelhoven, Christopher Baumgartner, Justin Baumgartner, Bradley Baumgartner; and step grandson Mendrey; great grandchildren, Nicholas and Natasha Eades, Emily and Daniel Udelhoven, and Amanda Baumgartner.
A memorial service has been held in Kerrville and a memorial service is planned for later this year in Lancaster to place her cremains alongside those of her husband.