September 2024

Sylvia Mae (Sorum) Baumgartner, 87, of Litchfield died Saturday, September 7, 2024. at her home in Litchfield with Lisa and Aaron Bonds by her side. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2024, at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will in Lake Ripley Cemetery. Sylvia Mae (Sorum) Baumgartner, daughter of Orville and Bernice (Halbakken), was born June 20, 1937, in Pelican Rapids. She graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1955. Sylvia met Carl while he was working for Johnson Bros. Corporation on a job building the road that ran past her family’s farm. On July 16, 1955, she was united in marriage to Carl Baumgartner in Rothsay. Together they moved to several states as they followed Carl’s work. They settled in Litchfield in 1972. Sylvia built a warm, loving and incredibly well-organized home everywhere they lived. She was the consummate entertainer and nothing made her happier than a beautifully decorated table full of family, friends, food and laughter. Sylvia’s pride in her Norwegian heritage was notorious and she always had a twinkle in her eye as she greeted everyone in Norwegian. Carl and Sylvia traveled across the United States and around the world and she loved telling stories of their adventures. As a friend noted, Sylvia was the hardest working, kindest lady. She could do anything, and, ran circles around most people half her age. Always in motion - she loved using her riding lawnmower to keep her property looking like a perfectly manicured park. She leaves behind her church family at First Lutheran; a very sad Friday-night Legion crew; dear friends; beloved family and hundreds of perfectly and beautifully embroidered dish towels. She is survived by her sister, Beverly (Jerry) Sanden; children, Allen Baumgartner of Strasburg, Colo., and Lisa (Aaron) Bonds of Robbinsdale; daughter-in-law Mattie (Robinson) Baumgartner; daughter-in-law, Margaret (Ma

Mark was born on October 25, 1953, in Litchfield to Willard and Marjorie Wood. He attended Litchfield High School, class of 1971, where he was involved in several activities and sports, which included football, baseball, and audio/visual club. He went on to attend Willmar Junior College where he played two years of baseball and proceeded to finish his undergraduate degree at Mankato State University in 1975. In 1980, Mark graduated from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul with his Juris Doctor. Mark had an extensive legal and professional career, including being admitted to Minnesota Courts and United States District Court, District of Minnesota, serving two terms as an Eighth Judicial District Board of Professional Responsibility Investigator, Meeker County Examiner of Titles, Meeker County Law Library Board Member, Litchfield City Attorney, Trustee of the Louis Roberg Endowment Trust, and Owner/Partner of Private Law Practice Wood & Rue PLLP where he was overjoyed to have his daughter, Emily, join the firm. As an active member of the Litchfield community some of his services include Litchfield Kiwanis member, founding board member of Litchfield Public Schools Foundation, founding member of Litchfield Industries, founding member of Litchfield Development Corporation, Litchfield Chamber of Commerce, Ecumen of Litchfield Advisory Board, lifelong member of Litchfield Church of God and serving as longtime treasurer, Meeker Memorial Hospital Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and Lake Washington Lake Improvement Association. While he had many professional and service accomplishments his true joy and priority in life was his family. Mark loved to say he was always surrounded by women, starting with growing up alongside three sisters. After practicing law in St. Paul he returned to his beloved hometown of Litchfield. He then met Lynn Olson and together they built their family on Lake Washington. This is where they raised their three daughters, Emily,