Judith Marie Baumgard

Judith Marie Baumgard, 83, formerly of Manhattan and Topeka, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at home with her son, Michael, in Mission Viejo, California. Judy leaves behind a legacy of endearing love for her children and all her family.

Judy was born November 14, 1940, in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Charles and Eleanor (Friedl) Ramponi. She graduated from Denver North High School in 1959. Throughout high school, her family was very active in Boy Scouts and it was at that time she met the love of her life, Howard Baumgard. After high school, she worked at Woolworths assisting in the office while she waited for Howard to complete his military service in the US Navy. On June 23, 1962, they were joined in holy matrimony at St Dominic's Catholic Church in Denver. She continued to work at Woolworths until the birth of their first child in 1963. From then on, her love was being a wife and a mother. Judy and Howard were blessed with three boys and three girls. She was active in her church and was a Cub Scout Den Leader. In 1979, Judy and her family moved to Hershey, Nebraska following a promotion for Howard with the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1983, Howard was once again transferred and Judy and the family moved to Topeka, Kansas. In 1987, she began her career with Conoco Phillips. In 1990, Judy lost her soulmate, Howard to a lengthy battle with cancer. Judy continued to be a caregiver by caring for her brother-in-law, Raymond, at the end of his life in 1999. Judy continued to work at Conoco Phillips until her retirement in 2003 and she moved to Manhattan, Kansas to be closer to her daughter Paula and her family. At the end of 2023, Judy moved to California to spend her final days with her son Michael, his family and her daughter, Nicole. Judy was an avid genealogist and she loved to read and crochet. But her real passion was following the lives of her children, grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Judy is survived by her sister Michele Woodbury, her son and daughter-in-law Michael and Brenda Baumgard, her son Mark Baumgard and his companion Ina (Scottie) Trevino, her daughter and son-in-law Paula and Steve Thomson, her son and daughter-in-law Martin and Lisa Baumgard, her daughter and son-in-law Karen and John Boley, and her daughter Nicole Baumgard. Her immense love extended to her 11 grandchildren: Crystal Champagne and her husband Chris, Joshua Baumgard, Eric Nalley and Tyler Meeves, Cameron Thomson, Abigale Waddell and her husband Alex, Amelia Baumgard, Samual Baumgard, Jake Boley, Jesse Boley and Wyatt Boley. She was over the moon to be called Great Grandma by Caylee. She was also blessed with the love of numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In the embrace of eternity, Judy lovingly reunites with her dear husband, Howard, whom she missed and talked to every day of her life. She joins her parents, Charles and Eleanor, her brother and sister-in-law Charles and Christy Ramponi, her dear brother-in-law John Woodbury, her brother-in-law Raymond Baumgard, her uncle and aunt Herb and Dorothy Friedl and her uncle and aunt Max and Reba Friedl. In this final journey, may Judy find solace and eternal peace with those who went before her.

Judy will be remembered for her enduring love, nurturing spirit and the indelible mark she left on the hearts of her family and friends. Her devotion to God was unwavering, mirrored by her deep love for family. Her spirit lives on in the cherished memories of those she loved and who loved her in return.

A visitation will be from 9:30am - 10:00am, Saturday, April 27, 2024, with the funeral to follow at 10:00am at the Dove Cremations & Funerals Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road, Topeka, KS 66610. Graveside services will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Topeka.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Holy Trinity Council Catholic Women, 1808 Hot Springs Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82001 or plant a commemorative tree in Judy's honor with the Arbor Day Foundation at https://shop.arborday.org/commemorative.

To leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.