Dwayne Marlo Baumgarten was born to Edgart Ertman and Effie Ann (Lickfett) Baumgarten on September 24, 1935 in Grafton Township of Sibley County, Minnesota. As a baby, he moved with his parents to Buffalo Lake, Minnesota where he was raised and attended school. As a youth, he enjoyed the game of baseball, riding motorcycles, and working with his cars. Upon completion of his education, he helped on the family farm. On November 1, 1958, Dwayne was united in marriage. To this union, ten children were born. Following his marriage, he purchased the dairy farm next to his parents. In October, 1976, he moved to a hobby farm near Hutchinson, Minnesota. He later became an over-the-road truck driver. In 1998, he semi-retired and worked part-time. On February 8, 2001, Dwayne met Donna Reese at a polka dance in Waite Park, Minnesota, and they have been dancing ever since. In 2004, he moved to Pipestone, Minnesota with his true love. On Monday, April 11, 2005, while driving the postal truck, Dwayne died near Windom, Minnesota at the age of 69 years, 6 months and 17 days. Dwayne was baptized at St. Paul American Lutheran Church in Stewart, Minnesota where he was also confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, dancing, and doing yard work. His fondest memories were of his two-tone blue 56í Ford and his Indian motorcycle. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He is lovingly remembered by his true love, Donna Reese of Pipestone, Minnesota; his ten children, Diane Yanta and her husband Don of Big Lake, Minnesota, Sherae Thompson and her husband John of Hutchinson, Minnesota, Joel Baumgarten and his wife Kim of Cold Spring, Minnesota, Renee Meyers of Big Lake, Minnesota, Dawn Ross and her husband Michael of Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin, Mark Baumgarten and his wife Ruth of Glencoe, Minnesota, Dean Baumgarten of Foley, Minnesota, Brice Baumgarten and his wife Lynn of Hutchinson, Minnesota, Darin Baumgarten and his wife Stephanie of Hutchinson, Minnesota, and Brandon Baumgarten and his fiancee Karen Thinesen of Dassel, Minnesota; three stepdaughters, Bobbie Rice and her husband Brian of St. Cloud, Minnesota, Wendy Stone and her husband Chip of Buffalo, Minnesota, and Toni Reese of Buffalo, Minnesota; twenty-five grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; one brother, Gary Baumgarten and his wife Mary of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota; and two sisters, Janet Bulau and her husband Glen of Litchfield, Minnesota, and Donna Moran and her husband Greg of Hutchinson, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Gabriel Ross; his parents; and one brother, Lloyd Baumgarten.

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