Hilbert Baumgarten

Hilbert Baumgarten’s love for his wife, Jordis, was so strong that they spent almost every moment in their seven decades of marriage together, holding each other’s hand even as he peacefully passed away Sunday, May 14, 2017, at Bethany on 42nd  in Fargo. He was 96 years old.

Born May 6, 1921, Hilbert grew up on a farm near Durbin, N.D., where he fostered his passion early in his life as a herdsman. He began showing registered Herefords in his teens at the Red River Valley Fair, eventually raising cattle in partnership with his father and brother until he built up his own herd. The third-generation Hereford herdsman would carry on the legacy that continues to thrive after more than 100 years of operation. He also won numerous awards and accolades for raising Herefords. He was named ND Hereford Man of the Year in 1981. The ND Winter Show honored him in 1988 for his service to agriculture and his involvement to the Winter Show.

Hilbert farmed  all of his adult life raising grain and corn. He sold Pioneer Seed Corn for 28 years.

He was a 4-H leader for 40 years and loved to share his knowledge and skills with youth. Hilbert was named ND Pioneer 4-H Leader in 1981.

There were few things that Hilbert loved more than talking about Herefords, watching the Minnesota Twins play baseball and seeing his children and grandchildren prosper. He would often drive hundreds of miles to see his seven grandchildren succeed in their endeavors, whether it was watching them play sports or participate in music concerts, seeing them walk down the aisle to marry their loved ones or sitting down at a fair during livestock shows. Hilbert had a definitive dedication to supporting and loving his family.

In all of his endeavors he made many lifelong friends. He would visit and listen to whomever was sitting next to him.

He and his wife, Jordis, joined a lifelong journey when they were married Dec. 30, 1945. They lived on a farm near Durbin until they moved to Fargo in 2008. Hers was the only love of Hilbert’s that surpassed his passion for Herefords and his family. In the 71 years they were married, they seldom spent a day apart. Even in his last months at Bethany, Jordis would walk every day across the campus from her apartment to Hilbert’s room.

Hilbert is survived by his wife Jordis, children; Lynette (Gary) Nieuwsma, Bemidji, Mn; Cheryl (Randy) Naze, Garrison, ND; Rolland (Wendy) Baumgarten; seven grandchildren; Brody Felchle, Shawn and Kyle Nieuwsma, Doug and Abbie Naze, Jake and April Baumgarten and 3 great- grandchildren, Reagan, Reed and Teague Nieuwsma.

He was preceded by his parents Richard and Gertrude (Hans) Baumgarten; sister Elaine, daughter Lorraine Snyder, and daughter-in-law Tama Baumgarten.

Memorials are preferred to Canaan Moravian Church or the donor’s choice.

Visitation: Friday, May 19, 2017 from 5 to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at West Funeral Home, West Fargo, ND.

Funeral: Saturday at 10:30 AM at Canaan Moravian Church, rural Davenport, ND with visitation one hour prior.

Burial: Canaan Moravian Cemetery.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

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