Brewster, MN
     Mavis Marie (McConnell) Baumgard, 94, was born December 22, 1920 to her parents Clarence and Julia McConnell and was baptized at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brewster, MN. As a child she attended country school then later graduated from Okabena High School in 1938.
     In 1943 Mavis married her husband Ray Baumgard at Fort Bradley in Sault Ste. Marie, MI before he was sent to Europe. After the war ended, Mavis and Ray moved to a farm outside of Brewster where they raised their two sons Jim and Brad. Mavis cherished her time at the farm where she played with her cats, cooked for friends and family and spent many hours tending to her garden and beautiful flowers. She was a member of the Okabena American Legion Auxiliary for over 50 years, and was also very involved in assisting with church activities. Mavis was very active in the Sacred Heart Rosary Club where she made over 7,000 rosaries over her lifetime. She always had a strong passion for bowling and was involved in numerous bowling leagues for over 50 years. Mavis always put her family first and continued to bring laughter and joy to everyone with her humor and quick wit.
     Mavis joined her fellow angels when she passed away on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Mavis is survived by her two children, James (Kathy) Baumgard of Spirit Lake, IA and Bradley (Jackie) Baumgard of Okabena, MN; five grandchildren, Stacey (David) Robinson, Allen (Heather) Baumgard, Eddie (Danielle) Sepich, Emily Baumgard and Molly (Kevin) Hoeger; one granddaughter-in-law, Deidre Baumgard, as well as five great grandchildren, Andrew Grau, Gage Tuttle, Kaylah Robinson, Olivia Baumgard and Cooper Baumgard.
     She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Julia McConnell, brother Lloyd McConnell, sister Ruth Riley and grandson, Scott Baumgard.
     Funeral services will be held on Saturday December 5, 2015, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brewster, MN, with Father Patrick Arens officiating. Casket bearers will be Allen Baumgard, Kevin Hoeger, Keith Baumgard, Luke Henning, Pat McConnell, Edward Smith, & Doug McConnell. Burial will be in the Hersey Cemetery near Brewster.
     Visitation will be held on Friday, December 4, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Benson Funeral Home in Worthington and also one hour prior to the service at the church.
