Hilmar Baumann

Hilmar E. Baumann, 86, of Wausau, passed away Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born on December 8, 1938, in the town of Wausau to the late Arnold and Pauline (Rosentrater) Baumann.

Hilmar attended Wausau High School until age 16 and later earned a GED. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1961 and was discharged with honors in 1965. Hilmar worked for many years as a milkman making home deliveries for the Tapper and Stueber dairies, before moving into window manufacturing at Milco/Wausau Metals. He retired in 2001.

On February 6, 1965, Hilmar married the love of his life, Rosemary Meidl. They celebrated their 60th anniversary earlier this year.

Hilmar enjoyed many hobbies that reflected his love of being outdoors and working with his hands. He was an avid fisherman, spending many hours on the lakes in northern Wisconsin, and trips to Minnesota and Canada. Early spring he could be found gathering sap in the woods to make maple syrup. He loved camping, particularly sitting around a campfire telling stories and jokes. He played baseball and softball for many years, as well as participated in league bowling, making countless friends along the way. After retirement, he and Rosemary frequently traveled, visiting all 50 states and fifteen different countries. He loved to putter around in his basement, building bookshelves, garden planters, birdhouses, and lawn ornaments.

What Hilmar cherished the most was his family. His happiest moments were spending time with the people he loved. His favorite holiday was Christmas because it meant all of his children and grandchildren would be together. He taught each of his children, and in turn grandchildren, how to cast a reel, jiggle the bobber, and wait patiently for a bluegill to bite. He loved ice fishing with his sons, and made sure there were enough fish in the freezer to ensure a world-famous Rosemary Baumann fish fry every week. One of his favorite fishing trips was a short overnight trip up north with his daughters. Annual camping trips allowed him to pass down the wisdom of how to build the perfect campfire, the ideal time to poke it, and deciding when the coals were perfect for pudgy-pie making. But most of all, he enjoyed being with his grandchildren. Snuggling with them in his lap when they were small, playing with cars or trains on the floor, or pretending to have a tea party with the grandkids’ stuffed animals. He attended as many of his grandchildren’s activities as possible, whether softball, football, ultimate frisbee, piano and guitar recitals, or choir concerts, he was there proudly cheering them on.

He is survived by his wife, Rosemary; his four children, Steven Baumann, Susan Baumann, Keith (Kelly) Baumann and Karla (Mark) Glasser; his five grandchildren, Courtney Baumann, Casey Baumann, Noah Glasser, Seth Glasser, and Zoë Glasser; three siblings, Sondra Radtke, Diana (Gary) Rux, and Harlan (Phyllis) Baumann; siblings-in-law, Dorothy Schroeder, Richard (Marian) Meidl, and Sue Oleszkiewicz; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Ronald Baumann and Arnold Baumann; his daughter-in-law, Karen Baumann; brothers-in-law, Edwin Radtke, Paul Meidl and Dennis Schroeder; and sisters-in-law, Dianne Baumann and Rebecca ‘Becky’ Baumann.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 14, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau. The Rev. Christopher S. Johnson will preside. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 13 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. Private family burial will take place at a later date.

Any donations received will be donated to Zion Lutheran Church to help support the Wausau Lutheran Hour radio program.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff on the Palliative Care Unit at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for the care and support you extended to Hilmar and our family.