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Elfrieda Baumung of Langenburg, Saskatchewan, formerly MacNutt, Saskatchewan passed away March 15, 2021 at Langenburg, Saskatchewan at the age of 100 years 3 months and 5 days.
Elfrieda was born to Gottfried and Elizabeth (nee Wagner) Schappert on December 10, 1920 at home on the farm. She had two older brothers, Albert and Val, a younger sister Wilma and two younger brothers George and Edward. She was baptized on January 2, 1921 and confirmed March 25, 1934. Her confirmation verse was Genesis 17:1, her faith and connection to her church was her rock through her entire 100 years.
She grew up on the farm north of MacNutt, Saskatchewan and lived there until she got married. She learned how to cook and clean at a very young age. Caring for her younger sister and baby brothers. She would walk 1½ miles to go to the Clova School but only went to grade 8 as she was needed on the farm. She was good at drawing maps and loved geography and art in school. When she moved off the farm in her later years, she pursued her love of art and through watching cable TV Art Lessons she became quite an accomplished painter. She painted a set of 4 Seasons on wood slabs for each of her children. For her grandchildren she painted a scene of their choice on long mirrors. Shortly after 9-11 Elfrieda painted a before and after of the Twin Towers which she proudly hung above her couch. She also painted on saw blades, glasses, frying pans or any colorless surface and transformed them into works of art.
She met the love of her life, Rudolf (Rudy) Baumung at a Young People’s church festive gathering. Their first date was at a Young Peoples Valentines party. Rudy bought her fancy lunch box and had to pay $9.00 as many other boys were bidding for a chance to dine with this smiling curly red head. Their courtship lasted 6 years and Rudy asked her to marry her on her birthday in 1938. They were married on November 2, 1941 at a double wedding with her brother Albert and Rudy’s sister Emmie. They moved to Rudy’s home place and lived in the west end of the house and her mother-in-law lived in the other end. In her words, “we were very happy, although we still had a woodstove and coil oil lamps and no running water. We had to make sure there was enough wood chopped, and the cows milked. I enjoyed keeping house and helping outside with chores before we had our children.”
They were blessed with four children, 3 daughters – Diane Marlene Elizabeth (Schmidt), Judith Ann (Holod), Linda Dorothy (Egilsson) and one son Robert Denton. Elfrieda lost her husband suddenly August 2, 1981, which left her widowed at a young age. The apple of her eye and baby boy was also tragically taken from her in a car accident in July of 2007 and then her eldest daughter, Diane passed away in February 2012. All very sad and painful passings for her as she loved her family dearly. Despite her sadness she smiled on, taking comfort in her church, family, friends and her hobbies. After Rudy passed, she would spend many hours knitting, baking, and caring for her grandchildren. She cared for her elderly mother moving to Saltcoats so she could be closer to her mother when she moved into the Care Home there. After her mother’s passing, she moved to Bredenbury where she was very active in the Busy Bees. She always had her suitcase packed as she would get in her yellow station wagon and show up at Diane’s or Judy’s place for weeks at a time helping complete big family projects, cooking or getting ready for horse shows or skating competitions. She fixed costumes, cut hair, gave hugs and told us how proud she was no matter how we did.
When she was not cruising around here to her children’s homes, she would be Alberta bound on the Greyhound bus with paintbrushes in hand to spend time with her family there. Camping trips to Jasper, garage sales and Cowboy Poetry events, she enjoyed with Linda, Allan and the kids. She never sat idle there either leaving her mark of color on a huge wall mural in Linda’s basement, which is still there today. The woodshed also sports a “Granny B” original work of Art. After a long day of fun and laughing, she would share a beer with Allan enjoying a sip at Beer O’clock.
Elfrieda would return home from Alberta, fill the yellow car with gas and goodies and make her rounds again. Our times with her were filled with laughter and happiness. She gave so much of herself and her time to her family. We were the things of greatest value.
She moved from Bredenbury to Langenburg into the units in 2006 to be closer to her daughters Diane and Judy and that is where she lived out her final years. With some assistance from her family, her wish was to stay in her home as long as possible. Her “girls” the Care Aids that attended to her morning and evening over the past few years were all so very special to her. She looked forward to them coming to help her in the morning. She would ask about their day and when they would return in the evening to get her ready for bed. I know they looked forward to sitting on Granny’s couch and visiting. The Family would like to send a special Thanks to all of Granny’s “girls” for their excellent, kind, compassionate care.
It is hard to summarize 100 years of such a full and vibrant life in a few short paragraphs. As she truly lived her life to the fullest right up until her final breath. Everyone who has met her enjoyed and loved her so much. Her bright sunshiny smile, her laugh, her wit, her knowledge and spunk. She didn’t move mountains, but she touched lives.
We celebrated her 100th Birthday on December 10, 2020 the best we could despite the pandemic. It was a special day for her. She crocheted 100 dishcloths to hand out on her birthday. They each were received by all, with love and honour. She wrote in her Journal for that day. “Happy Birthday! Am I really 100 today? Can you tell? I am glad my mind is good. I got dressed in my fancy clothes. The sun came out. Had a few visitors, a few came in. The yard was full, candles were lit, what a beautiful picture. Now I am 100 Years old!”
There really is no ending to her 100-year story. As she will live on down through the generations she has inspired. There are budding artists, farmers, athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, bakers, homemakers, gardeners, red heads with freckles, humor, wittiness, laughter, and love of family that she has passed on down to five generations. She lives on through us her family! The only thing she devoted her life to for 100 years.
She was predeceased by father and mother Gottfried and Elizabeth Schappert, husband Rudolph Baumung, daughter Diane (Schmidt), son Robert Denton Baumung, brothers Albert, Val, George, Ed Schappert, sister Wilma Bessler, son-in-law Donald Holod. Surviving, are her 2 daughters Judith Holod of Langenburg, Linda (Allan) Egilsson of Carvel, Alberta, a son-in-law Harry Schmidt (Langenburg), 11 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren.
Charity of Choice
Lutheran Hour Ministries
270 Lawrence Avenue, Kitchener ON N2M 1Y4
Tel: 1-800-555-6236
Web: https://www.lhm.org/give/forms/formgeneral.asp?campaign=18CMN20LH
Christ Lutheran Cemetery Fund, MacNutt
MacNutt SK S0A 2K0
Christ Lutheran Memorial Fund ~ MacNutt
MacNutt SK S0A 2K0