Iona Baumchen Passes Away

Iona Graf Baumchen, 87, of St. Marys  died Feb. 4, 2022, at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor where she had lived for 26 months.

She taught in Maple Hill for three years before moving to St. Marys Grade School where she taught until she retired. She loved to teach reading and language and enjoyed developing many hands-on projects for her classroom. 

She married Daniel Peter Baumchen on Aug. 7, 1954, at Emmett. They lived in Clay Center before moving to St. Marys in 1957. The Baumchens were married 65 years.

She worked as the recreation director for the City of St Marys and was responsible for everything from scheduling umpires to booking bands for dances. Iona managed the St Marys Swimming Pool for seven years and directed a comprehensive American Red Cross swimming program for hundreds of children in St. Marys and surrounding communities. She served Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in a variety of ways, including being a lector and teaching CCD classes.  Iona worked many years at the St. Marys Community Food Pantry, faithfully serving people weekly. A special job was preparing holiday food baskets.

The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until the rosary at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 10 at Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 11 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, St. Marys. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

This was an abbreviated version of Iona's obituary.  The complete obituary can be read at    https://www.piperfuneralhome.com/obituary/Iona-Baumchen