Clifford Baumann

Clifford R. Baumann was known as the Waubeka area’s butcher for many years, carrying on a tradition established by several generations of his family.

“That’s what he grew up with,” his son Mike said. “He went from high school to the National School of Meat Cutting.”

Mr. Baumann owned and operated Baumann’s Meat Market for years before partnering with his brother Roger to open Baumann’s Food Store in Waubeka in 1973.

They ran the business for years, and when Roger Baumann retired, Clifford bought out his share and ran the business on his own.

“I think he really enjoyed the people,” his son said.

His father was dedicated to the business, he added.

“He would be gone at 6 in the morning and not come back home until 8 at night,” his son said. “He was kind of a workaholic.”

Health concerns eventually forced Mr. Baumann to retire and close the market, he said.

Mr. Baumann died Sunday, June 10, at his Town of Fredonia home. He was 81.

His son said his death was likely from complications of a stroke he suffered nine years ago.

Mr. Baumann was born on May 1, 1937, to Feoder and Loraine Normann Baumann in West Bend, and was raised in Waubeka.

On July 16, 1959, he married Catherine “Lee Raye” Wilmot at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lake Church.

While he devoted much of his life to the family business, he spent much of his free time restoring Model T Ford cars.

“That’s what he did if he wasn’t at the market,” his son said. “He learned it from my grandpa.”

Mr. Baumann also had a passion for public service, spending 60 years on the Waubeka Fire Department.

“Back in the day when he was working at the market, when there was a fire the whistle would blow and everyone ran to the station,” his son said.

When Mr. Baumann served as the assistant fire chief, he recalled, he had the fire phone at home with a whistle controller and could set off the siren when needed.

Even after Mr. Baumann could not work as a firefighter, his son said, he continued to volunteer as an associate member of the department.

“It was his way of giving back,” he said.

Mr. Baumann “got along with everyone,” his son said. “He never complained about people.”

Mr. Baumann’s parents died when he was young, his son said, and that gave him a profound sense of compassion for others.

Mr. Baumann is survived by his wife Lee Raye of the Town of Fredonia; children Linda Schommer of Port Washington, Doug of Plymouth and Michael (Lori) of Fredonia; grandchildren Kurt (Rachel) Schommer, Geoff (Jessi), Chase, Mike Jr. (Katie) and Brad (Lauren); and eight great-grandchildren.

He is further survived by his siblings-in-law Betty Baumann of the Town of Fredonia, Paulette Surk of Casco, Cricket (John) Habeth of Hartford, Rose Marie (Wayne) Riekkoff of Kewaskum and Louis (Colleen) Wilmot of Wausaukee.

Mr. Baumann was preceded in death by his brother Roger, granddaughter Catherine Schommer, son-in-law Alan Schommer, brother-in-law Clayton Wilmot and sister-in-law Betty Wilmot.

A funeral service for Mr. Baumann will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, June 18, at Eernisse Funeral Home in Port Washington.

The Rev. Daniel Noennig will officiate.

Visitation will be at the funeral home Monday from 4 p.m. until the service.

Interment will be Tuesday, June 19, at St. Paul Cemetery in Waubeka.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Waubeka Fire Department or National Flag Day Foundation are suggested.