Glen Edwin Baeumel, 96

Glen Edwin Baeumel, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away on Nov. 23, 2017, at the age of 96, at North Star Assisted Living. Glen was born on April 19, 1921, in Newton, Kan., to William and Geneva Baeumel, oldest brother to Bill and Alden Baeumel.

Glen’s childhood was busy attending school. Summer months were spent traveling on the train to Bend, Kan., to spend time on his grandparents’ farm. Glen graduated from Newton Sr. High School in 1939. While looking for work, Glen hitchhiked to Wichita, Kan., walked by a Navy recruiting station, and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1939. Prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Glen’s ship left Pearl Harbor to patrol the South Pacific. When war broke out, his fleet steamed to the North Pacific Ocean and helped in the recapture of the Aleutian Islands from the Japanese.

In 1947 Glen’s ship, the USS Greenwood, docked at the Charleston, Mass., U.S. Naval Ship Yard for a three-month overhaul. Glen and Dottie met on a blind date. They were introduced by mutual friends, Dr. Myrtle Fridell, Dottie’s family doctor, and Glen’s family friend from Kansas. After a short romance, Glen and Dottie were married on Sept. 1, 1948. When Glen’s enlistment ended on Aug. 9, 1949, Glen and Dottie wasted no time starting their new lives together. They shipped all that they owned to Southern California, and hit the road on Glen’s red 1947 Indian Chief motorcycle for a two-and-a-half-month, 3,000-mile cross-country touring trip, arriving late October in San Bernardino, Calif., to begin their new life together.

Glen used his Navy skills to find work, eventually working for Kaiser Steel, in Fontana, Calif., as an instrument foreman, utilities foreman and combustion engineer. While working, Glen attended college and earned his associate’s degree and a certificate in industrial supervision.

Glen and Dottie bought their first home in Rialto, Calif., and raised their four children there. Vacations had the family traveling across country every year seeing family and friends. Summer weekends were spent camping in the mountains, deserts and ocean. Glen and Dottie continued to travel after the children were grown, managing to visit all 50 states.

After Glen’s retirement in 1977, they moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where their second-oldest son lived. In a few short years the rest of his children and their families moved to Coeur d’Alene. Glen went to work for the Inland Automobile Association as a field agent, retiring in 1983.

Glen and Dottie stayed active boating on area lakes and the San Juan Islands with friends. They also enjoyed working with the U.S. Coast Guard doing safety inspections and safety patrols on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Active in their church, friends and family were important to them. After church, Sundays were a day for a drive, and dinner out with friends and family.

Always together, Glen and Dottie lived a full and rich life together. Dottie passed away July 26, 2016. Glen gave his all taking care of her during her illness. They were married one month shy of 68 years together. After living at North Star Senior Living, Glen moved into North Star Assisted Care when his health began to decline. Glen’s heart stopped on Thanksgiving morning, with his loving family and caregivers by his side.

Glen is survived by his four children, Steve and Debbie Baeumel, Mark and Tracy Baeumel, Tim and Cheryl Johnston, all of Coeur d’Alene, and Terry and Charis Williams, of Lakeside, Mont.; nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Glen’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, at Bell Tower Funeral Home, 3398 E. Jenalan Ave., Post Falls, Idaho. We would like to express our appreciation to North Star Assisted Living and Hospice of North Idaho — Schneidmiller House for the wonderful care and love given to our Dad. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of North Idaho — The Schneidmiller House, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835.