Carol Baumgartner

A memorial service for Carol A. Baumgartner will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastor Murray Jones officiating.

Carol Ann Baumgartner, 74 years of age, of rural Holdrege, Nebraska, passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her family. Carol was born in Holdrege, on September 23, 1951, the youngest of two children, born to Lynn and Evelyn (Smith) Polhemus. She was raised on the family farm, south of Loomis.  She received her education from Loomis Public Schools and graduated from Loomis High School with the class of 1969.  She later pursued higher education from Kearney State College, now UNK, and attained an Accounting Degree.

On June 15, 1989, Carol was united in marriage to Alan Baumgartner in Aurora, Colorado.  Together they raised eight children:  Joel, Jesse, Jeffery, Joseph, Cody, Marisa, Steven, and Drew.  Carol was a dedicated mother, choosing to stay home and homeschool five of the children.  She actively participated in the children's activities, including becoming "Colonel Mom" in the Civil Air Patrol for over 10 years.

She was a member of Trinity Evangelical Free Church.  Carol enjoyed sewing, gardening, and volunteering at church, and helping others.  She had the heart of a servant. Carol served as a teacher for over 8 years with AWANAS, and served as a MOPS participant and later helped younger mothers in the MOPS program at the church.

Carol was preceded in death by her father, Lynn in 1997; her father-in-law and mother-in-law: Dale and Shirley Baumgartner; and her brother, David Polhemus.

Those left to celebrate her life, include her husband of 36 years, Alan Baumgartner of rural Holdrege; her mother, Evelyn Polhemus of Holdrege; their children:  Joel Wiser and his wife, Sabine Gruensfelder of Centennial, Colorado; Jesse (Wiser) Madugula and husband, Amar of Roanoake, Texas; Jeffery Baumgartner and his wife, Allison of Richmond Hill, Georgia; Joseph Baumgartner of Las Vegas, Nevada; Cody Baumgartner and his wife, Anna of Elbert, Colorado; Marisa DeWindt and husband, Derek of Agate, Colorado; Steven Baumgartner and wife, Siarah of Kearney, Nebraska; and Drew Baumgartner of Holdrege; seven grandchildren:  John, Conner, Theo, Finn, Jonathon, Evelyn, and Victoria; -in-laws: Mike Baumgartner and his wife, Teresa of Kearney; Jerry Baumgartner of North Platte, Nebraska; Kim Ingels and her husband, Bob of McCook, Nebraska; and Kelly Baumgartner and wife, Candy of Great Falls, Montana; along with nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A private family visitation will be held.  The family is honoring her wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in Carol's honor and donations are kindly suggested to the American Cancer Society – Lymphoma Foundation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.