Dorothy Mae Baeumel, 88

Dorothy Mae Baeumel, 88, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away on the morning of July 28, 2016, at the Hospice House of North Idaho with her family by her side. Dorothy suffered from dementia. Dorothy, also called Dottie, was born on Nov. 17, 1927, and entered heaven on July 28, 2016. Dottie, was born in Boston, Mass., and raised in Roslindale, Mass. — a suburb of Boston. Dottie’s parents were Gustave and Helen (Parlee) Gummeson, and her older brother, Donald Gummeson.

Our hearts are filled with wonderful memories as we celebrate a life well lived. Dottie had a wonderful time growing up in Boston and had many good friends and family she loved dearly. At a very early age, Dottie gave her heart to the Lord which was a testament to the life she led. After high school, Dottie worked for John Hancock Whole Life Ins. Co. in Boston for four years.

In 1947, Glen Edwin Baeumel (from Newton, Kan.) arrived aboard the USS Greenwood in Charleston, Mass., U.S. Naval shipyard for a three-month ship overhaul. Dottie and Glen met on a blind date, introduced by a mutual friend, Dr. Myrtle Fridell, Dottie’s family doctor and Glen’s family friend from Kansas. After a short romance, Dottie and Glen were married Sept. 1, 1948. When Glen’s naval enlistment ended on Aug. 9, 1949, Dottie and Glen wasted no time starting their new lives together. They shipped all that they owned to Southern California and Dottie and Glen hit the road on Glen’s Red 1947 Indian Chief Motorcycle, for a 2 1/2-month 3,000 mile cross country touring trip arriving late October in San Bernardino, Calif., to start their new life together. After their first child was born in 1950, it was time to buy a house on the GI Bill. In 1952, they had a house built in Rialto, Calif., and raised their four children there.

Traveling, camping and boating were the lifestyle they loved and enjoyed. One trip was a seven-week trip with the kids going all the way to Washington, D.C., and up to Boston to visit family. The kids were out of school for seven weeks so they had their homework to keep up with, but the trip was a wonderful way to see a lot of American history and our nation’s Capital and White House. It was a trip of a lifetime.

After Glen’s retirement in 1977, they moved to Coeur d’Alene, where their second oldest son lived. In just a few short years the rest of her children and families moved to Coeur d’Alene.

Dottie lived an active life with Glen. Boating and working with the U.S. Coast Guard doing safety inspections and safety patrols on Lake Coeur d’Alene. They also enjoyed traveling together in their motor home during their marriage, seeing many sites throughout all 50 states.

In 2012, health problems forced Dottie and Glen to sell their home and move into North Star Senior Residential Living. After Dottie was hospitalized several times, Dottie and Glen moved into the Renaissance Assisted Living Community in Coeur d’Alene in April 2016. Dottie fell in mid-July 2016 and was hospitalized and Hospice of North Idaho was called to assist in her care. On July 24, our mother gave us a gift that we will carry with us forever. She was awake talking and reminiscing about her life and how she was ready to meet her Lord. After three hours with her family by her side, she looked at her wrist as if she was telling time and said it was time for her to go now.

Dottie and Glen were one month shy of 68 years of marriage. She is survived by her loving husband, Glen of Coeur d’Alene; her four children and spouses, 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.

Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, brother and grandson Brian Baeumel.

A celebration of Dottie’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, at Bell Tower Funeral Home, 3398 E. Jenalan Ave., Post Falls.

We would like to express our appreciation to The Renaissance of Coeur d’Alene and Hospice of North Idaho for the wonderful care and love given to our Mom. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice House of North Idaho. 9493 N. Government Way Hayden, ID 83835.

You may view her online memorial at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.