Elizabeth Jean (Bauman) Weinfurtner, age 81, of Marshfield, passed peacefully on November 8, 2018.
Beth was born on February 4, 1937 to Leone and Ted Bauman. She grew up with her brothers and sister in Marshfield, attended Columbus High School and graduated in 1955.
After graduation, Beth worked as an x-ray technician at Marshfield Clinic. She married Dick Weinfurther in 1957 and started a family. She settled into making a home with her husband and devoted herself to raising their four children. She took her responsibilities as a “hausfrau” seriously, especially when it came to food. Her family felt loved and nurtured daily by the delicious and nutritious meals and baked goods she prepared from scratch.
Beth worked as a bookkeeper at the family business, Team Sporting Goods, after the children were older. Following retirement, she volunteered for nearly 10 years at St. Joseph’s Hospital gift shop and the Meals on Wheels program. She brightened many people’s Wednesday lunches with a smile and a kind word.
Beth appreciated the beauty of nature and was often outdoors biking and cross-country skiing. She had a special affinity for plants and birds which she inherited from her mother. Stopping to admire and identify plants along the trail was an important part of her hiking experience. At home, she lovingly tended her garden and potted plants and was rewarded with fresh flowers all summer and indoor greenery year-round. On a summer afternoon, Beth could be found lounging on her porch, a book in hand, a glass of Chardonnay nearby, amid the sounds of birds in the surrounding trees.
Bridge was a life-long love of Beth’s. She learned the card game from her mother at an early age and enjoyed her weekly bridge clubs and the women she played with over the years. After she got her first computer, she was able to play with people from around the world. She knew the satisfaction of bidding a grand slam and achieving it.
Beth was always on the look-out for a bargain, attending estate sales and auctions in the hope of finding an interesting piece of furniture that she could refinish and restore to its original beauty. She had an aesthetic sense that permeated her world.
Beth loved to explore new places with friends and family. She and her husband Dick enjoyed visits to Mexico and Hawaii before his death in 1997. She continued to travel with Seniors on the Move and her group of girlfriends, the “Ya-Ya’s”.
Beth’s final year was spent at Stony River Memory Care in Marshfield. She had some incredible caregivers who showed her unlimited kindness and compassion. You were a blessing to Beth and her family. Thank you.
Beth Weinfurtner leaves behind her four children: Lynn Weinfurtner (Silver City, NM), Tim Weinfurtner, wife Kris (Prescott, WI), Jeff Weinfurtner (Marshfield) and Jay Weinfurtner (Marshfield). Brothers: Tom Bauman (Northwoods) and Jim Bauman, wife Donna (Lac Du Flambeau, WI). Granddaughters: Libby Shyu (Woodbury, MN), Annie Kamm (White Bear Lake, MN) and Sara Weinfurtner (Marshfield) as well as great-grandson, Franklin Shyu and many nieces and nephews that were special to her. Her absence will be felt by the many people whose lives she touched.
Visitation will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church, 201 W. Blodgett Street, Marshfield, WI on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 9:30 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 AM, officiated by Father Martin. Burial will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Marshfield.
In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome any donations which will be gifted to the Alzheimer’s Association in Beth’s memory.
