Earl Bumann

Earl was born to Ray and Edna Bumann on March 8, 1925 on his grandparents farm which was south of Schleswig. He was baptized July 26, 1925, and confirmed April 2, 1939, at St. John Lutheran Church in Battle Creek, Iowa. He was the eldest of 11 children.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Bumann, of Ida Grove; seven daughters, Ronda (Tony) Stingley of St. Paul, MN, Roberta Bumann, Winona, MN, Karen (David Schmidt) Bumann of Menomonie, WI, Mary (David Anderson) Bumann of Cedar Rapids, IA, Irene (Kent Lyon) Bumann Lyon of Indianola, IA, Lisa (Greg) Davis, Onawa, IA, Margaret (James Callaghan) Bumann of Omaha, NE; siblings, Mildred Fleenor, Dolores (Delayne) Linn, Edna (Tom) Phillips, Lois (Ed) Skinner, Carol (Roger) Clausen, Roger (Karen) Bumann, Jeanette Messer; sister-in-law Lucille Mason, sister-in-law June Bumann, sister-in-law Karen Bumann; twelve grandchildren, Marc (Lisa) Stingley, David Stingley, Leah Boyer (fianc Sean Warner), Joshua Boyer, Andrea (Jim Dwyer) Anderson, Dan Anderson, Rhiannon Lyon, Meredith (Nick) Willey, Eric (Jessica) Davis, Brent Davis, Reilly Callaghan, Kathryn Callaghan; and three great-grandchildren, Langston Stingley, Scarlett and Neely Dwyer; cousin Richard and LaDonna Bumann; and many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Bumann and Edna Bumann, his brothers Alvin Bumann, Edward Bumann, and Raymond Julius Bumann, II (Junior), his brother-in-law James Fleenor, brother-in-law Richard Messer, his son Michael Bumann, and his son-in-law Douglas Boyer.
Earl was a lifelong resident of Ida County. He graduated from Battle Creek High School in 1942. His favorite subject was history which continued to be a lifelong interest.
He served in the Army during WWII, and was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic action while serving in the European Theater after the Battle of The Bulge. Using his wartime letters saved by his mother and with the help of his daughters, he wrote From Cornfield to Battle Field a memoir of his service in World War II. Earl was a member of VFW Post 3930 for over 60 years. After the war, Earl farmed with his father and brothers for several years and continued farming independently for over 40 years.
In February 1950, he married Maxine Abbe of Ida Grove, IA. To this union were born five girls, Ronda, Roberta, Karen, Mary and Irene. Maxine died in 1959. Earl married Shirley Hass in 1962. Earl adopted Michael and Lisa, and had another daughter Margaret.
Earls faith was very important to him and he was very active in his church and community serving on many church committees, the Schleswig School Board, Ida County Farm Bureau, and Ida County Pork Producers. He was Chairman of Grant Township for many years and a local election judge.
Earl was an avid gardener and had a huge garden with watermelon that grew to over 50 pounds. He enjoyed playing card games and cribbage with his family and friends especially his nephews winning all their beer money. Fishing with his grandchildren, reading historical books and watching the History Channel on television were also some of his favorite activities. Family and friends looked forward to annual Christmas gifts of his homemade horseradish, homemade candies, jams and jellies. Earl enjoyed his family immensely and looked forward to the many family holidays and gatherings. He had a compassion for animals and always had numerous pets.
Family members would like to thank staff of Horn Memorial Community Health for their loving care and kindness during their many home visits and Horn Memorial Hospital for their loving care and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Horn Memorial Hospital,
701 E. 2nd St, Ida Grove, IA 51445 or JDRF/Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.