Frances Jean Baumert

Published by editor on Wed, 05/04/2022 - 8:38am

1927-2022

Born Frances Jean Schauf on June 8, 1927, took her long awaited place in Heaven on April 30 2022. Preceded in death by her parents Goldie Ellis-Schauf and Doyle Schauf, sisters Dorthy, Betty, Rosemary, and husband Harry Baumert. Survived by her sister Evelyn, and brother Robert.

Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Powell Funeral Home, Sigourney - Thursday, May 5

Funeral: 10 a.m. What Cheer Christian Church - Friday, May 6 - burial to follow in Keota.

Frances was a woman whose life centered around children from an early age; a country school teacher grades 1-8 before marriage to Harry Baumert in 1947, resulting in a family of 9. The happy pair had 7 children; Ronald, Cheryl, Colleen, Joanne, Patty, Sandy, and Richard - This family continues to grow with love, accommodating 15 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and more yet to come.

Frances was raised with faith and a belief in God, but got 'The Call' in 1981 when she received a diagnosis of stage III melanoma. She picked up that bible and never looked back - becoming a licensed minister for the Disciples of Christ in 1983 and calling the What Cheer Christian Church 'home', a congregation blessed to receive her ministry for 31 years.

She took the Lord's work seriously, with a sense of humor. “Approachable” is a great word to describe Frances. “Compassionate", “Authentic", "True.” She was very much herself; full of life, energy, laughter, and above all, kindness.

Organizations:

American Cancer Society

American Heart Association

American Lung Association

Church Women United

Clothes Cupboard

Eastern Star

Lords Pantry

Literacy Tutor

Frances housed and clothed children and families alike, and not just at Christmas - donations for food and clothing increased exponentially under her drive and determination, gallons of blood, sing-a thons, bail for jail - things too numerous to mention. The woman never stopped.

Leading the charge for these and countless other causes, from family to strangers alike, Frances dedicated her life to bettering the world, to spreading a message of generosity and love to all those whose life she touched, and doing it all with a brightness few possess. Full of Grace, she made the world a better place. We can all hope to learn a little something from Frances Jean Baumert.