To view the funeral service and graveside service with Military Rites, please click on the "play" button below; the service will play after the slideshow

William "Bill" Donald Baumgartner, 97, of Mitchell, SD transitioned from this life to his eternal home with Jesus Christ, Tuesday, October 18. 2022 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. A Celebration of Life will take place at the Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell, SD on November 5, 2022, officiated by Pastor Daniel Grimmer of Zion Lutheran Church. It will begin with a processional departing from Will Funeral Chapel at 12:30 pm to the Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery. Burial will be at 1:00 PM with military honors. Going back to the funeral home, the celebration will take place at 2:00 pm followed by a time of fellowship with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Avera Home Hospice or James Valley Community Center.

Bill was born to George F. and Laura (Menzel) Baumgartner in Duluth, MN on August 12, 1925. He had three siblings: 2 brothers, George and Howard and a sister Evelyn. He attended Denfeld High School in Duluth and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Bill served in the US Army 6 ^th Infantry Division and 6 ^th Signal Company during WWII from 1944 to 1946 He was stationed in the Asian Pacific Theater working to liberate the Philippines. He was a commercial artist in the silk screen process for 40 years, retiring in 1990. He started his career at Coast to Coast stores and ended it at the Twin City Sign Company.

He met the love of his life, Bernice Kriel at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Duluth and they were married there on July 29, 1950, and recently celebrated 72 years of marriage.  They lived in Minneapolis for 3 years and 62 years in Richfield, MN. Selling their home in 2015, they moved to Mitchell, SD to live with their daughter Laurel Hartwig and her husband Randy.

Bill loved aviation, biking, and camping. He was a member of the Aerohead Flying Club and the Minneapolis JC Flying Club and attended many airplane shows.  He was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Richfield, MN for over 60 years and more recently a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Mitchell.

Bill is survived by his wife, Bernice, a brother, Howard Baumgartner of Bloomington, MN, his 4 children: Laurel (Randy) Hartwig of Mitchell; Marion (Ron) Barron of Dallas, TX; David Baumgartner of Holden, MA; and Daniel (Sonja VanGuilder) Baumgartner of Hudson, WI; 2 grandchildren: Elijah Baumgartner of New Richmond, Wisconsin and Isaiah Baumgartner of Eau Claire, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother George Baumgartner, sister Evelyn Stolberg and a grandchild Jonah Baumgartner.