Earl Baumgarn Jr.

Earl A. Baumgarn Jr., 75, of Webster, SD passed away on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Sanford Hospital in Webster.Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 15, 2025, at American Lutheran Church in Webster, with visitation beginning one hour prior.

Earl Jr. was born on July 19, 1950, in Webster, SD, to Earl Sr. and Verna Baumgarn. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith and confirmed in 1964 at American Lutheran Church in Webster. He attended Webster Public School, graduating in 1968, then went on to the University of North Dakota–Ellendale Branch for two years before transferring to Black Hills State College in Spearfish, SD, where he studied for three years. Concerned about student debt, he chose to leave school and begin working, paying off his loans in full.

Throughout his life, Earl worked a wide variety of jobs: delivering newspapers, mowing lawns, custom combining, delivering fuel oil, serving as a Webster city police officer and part-time Day County deputy sheriff, selling beer for P. Monzel Co. out of Webster that included a year in Mobridge, and he loved driving semi-trucks for Dakota Seed and Grain in Watertown. He later managed the Watertown P. Monzel beer distributorship, operated a carpet cleaning business, and eventually became manager of the City Park Campground at Lake Kampeska and the Watertown Ice Arena.

Earl was active in many community and recreational organizations. He served as president of the Watertown Snowmobile Club for 2 years, northeast director of the South Dakota Snowmobile Association, and president of the Black Hills State Rodeo Club. He co-founded the Watertown Figure Skating Club with Jayne Nelson, served as its president for two years, and taught beginner skating lessons.

In 1999, Earl began facing serious heart issues, undergoing a quadruple bypass, multiple stent placements, and eventually a pacemaker/ICD placement, which led to his retirement 10 years later.

Earl had a passion for the outdoors, camping, cooking, and baking were his fun hobbies. Hunting was a big part of his fall trips to Groton. He enjoyed antique shopping, especially collecting glass milk bottles and cast-iron cookware, and cherished his complete cream separator, milk can, and glass butter churn. One of his most beloved possessions was a blanket his sister made for him over 40 years ago, which traveled with him everywhere. Above all, he loved his grandchildren and included them in his activities whenever possible.

He is survived by his brothers Norm (Peggy) and Keith (Cathy), sister Janet, sisters-in-law Marilyn Baumgarn and Kristie Baumgarn, brother-in-law Wayne Jaquet, three stepchildren, nine grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Sr. and Verna; brothers Terry and Larry; sisters Karen and Louise; godparents Emil and Martha; uncle Elmer; brother-in-law Chuck Coyne; sisters-in-law Marian and Eileen; great-granddaughter Sunny Marie; niece Gail Richter; great-nephews Colt, Tucker, Mason, and Leighton; and numerous other aunts, uncles, and extended family.

Earl will be remembered for his sincere heart, his willingness to share, and the joy he found in family, friends, and the simple pleasures of life — and, of course, for enjoying his sister-in-law’s burnt toast.