Delores Baumhofer
d. August 3, 2023
Delores (Dode) Baumhofer, died peacefully at HomeFront First in Montevideo August 3, 2023, at the age of 94 years and 11 months. The fourth child of Gilbert and Isabelle Johnson, Delores was born in Dawson, Minnesota on August 15, 1928. She grew up on the family farm outside Dawson, attended public schools and graduated from Dawson H.S. in 1945. She was a child of the Great Depression, and her beliefs in close family ties and frugality learned in her youth stayed with her throughout her life. She cared for all the animals on the farm, especially her horse Minnie, although she was not terribly fond of the chickens which were her responsibility to feed.
Dode enjoyed socializing with her friends and going to dances, where she met Gail Baumhofer of Montevideo, just back from serving his country in WWII. They were married on October 6th 1946, and settled in Montevideo. They had three sons; Larry, Mark, and Richard. Gail worked for the post office, and Dode was a homemaker, a skilled seamstress who sewed gowns for many bridal parties. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church where she was the Choir director and a soloist.
In the early years with young children, she bonded with a group of like-minded women who met regularly, drinking coffee, telling stories, amid continual laughter. This group, informally known as “the jolly six pack” remained close friends for the rest of their lives.
The boys were all gone off to college by 1970, while Dode was 42. She then began an accomplished and well-regarded series of careers and volunteer efforts. She remained active in the church, the church choir, including Choir Director, ladies aide, and the building committees for the new church and for Brookside Manor. Active in the American Legion Auxiliary, along with Gail’s Legion work, they both rose to leadership roles on the local and state level, traveling to many annual state and national conventions, making fast friends. Dode also ran the Girls State program for the Auxiliary for many years, guiding young Monte high schoolers in mock state government conventions.
In 1978 she ran for Chippewa County Commissioner position won decisively. She served three 4-year terms, and served as board chair her last term. Imagine Dode telling the three other farmer Commissioners her views in her firm but understated manner on county management
At the same time, she was working retail sales for Gervais Jewelry, and became a well-known fixture on Main Street. In her spare time, she volunteered delivering Meals on Wheels, flipped burgers at Legion functions, and made and served lunches for church events.
Always cheerful, always positive, an inspiration to her children, and well regarded in the community she loved.
Once the boys started having children, she travelled frequently for visits, as they were spread country-wide, Mark in Massachusetts, Rich in California, and Larry in Japan. In addition to her three sons and their wives she is survived by eight grandchildren Evan, Kau’i and Ririka (Larry), Anna, Clea and Signe (Mark), Emma and Hannah (Richard) and two great grandchildren, Melanie and Pono. She has many nieces and nephews from coast to coast.
Dode lived the last seven years at HomeFront First Assisted Living in Montevideo. She had good friends there, and was well cared for by a dedicated staff. Her sons and their families visited often. She will be greatly missed.
A celebration of life will be held on October 14th with a service at 11 AM at the United Methodist Church in Montevideo followed by a reception in the church hall. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Cemetery.
Dode enjoyed socializing with her friends and going to dances, where she met Gail Baumhofer of Montevideo, just back from serving his country in WWII. They were married on October 6th 1946, and settled in Montevideo. They had three sons; Larry, Mark, and Richard. Gail worked for the post office, and Dode was a homemaker, a skilled seamstress who sewed gowns for many bridal parties. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church where she was the Choir director and a soloist.
In the early years with young children, she bonded with a group of like-minded women who met regularly, drinking coffee, telling stories, amid continual laughter. This group, informally known as “the jolly six pack” remained close friends for the rest of their lives.
The boys were all gone off to college by 1970, while Dode was 42. She then began an accomplished and well-regarded series of careers and volunteer efforts. She remained active in the church, the church choir, including Choir Director, ladies aide, and the building committees for the new church and for Brookside Manor. Active in the American Legion Auxiliary, along with Gail’s Legion work, they both rose to leadership roles on the local and state level, traveling to many annual state and national conventions, making fast friends. Dode also ran the Girls State program for the Auxiliary for many years, guiding young Monte high schoolers in mock state government conventions.
In 1978 she ran for Chippewa County Commissioner position won decisively. She served three 4-year terms, and served as board chair her last term. Imagine Dode telling the three other farmer Commissioners her views in her firm but understated manner on county management
At the same time, she was working retail sales for Gervais Jewelry, and became a well-known fixture on Main Street. In her spare time, she volunteered delivering Meals on Wheels, flipped burgers at Legion functions, and made and served lunches for church events.
Always cheerful, always positive, an inspiration to her children, and well regarded in the community she loved.
Once the boys started having children, she travelled frequently for visits, as they were spread country-wide, Mark in Massachusetts, Rich in California, and Larry in Japan. In addition to her three sons and their wives she is survived by eight grandchildren Evan, Kau’i and Ririka (Larry), Anna, Clea and Signe (Mark), Emma and Hannah (Richard) and two great grandchildren, Melanie and Pono. She has many nieces and nephews from coast to coast.
Dode lived the last seven years at HomeFront First Assisted Living in Montevideo. She had good friends there, and was well cared for by a dedicated staff. Her sons and their families visited often. She will be greatly missed.
A celebration of life will be held on October 14th with a service at 11 AM at the United Methodist Church in Montevideo followed by a reception in the church hall. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Cemetery.
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