Baptized and confirmed in Immanuel Lutheran Church, near Clarinda, Iowa. His name in the Baptism records of Immanuel Lutheran Church reads: Henry Emil Walter. His Baptismal Sponsors were Heinrich Henneman, Adolph Schultz and Emma Meier.

He and his brother, Albert, attended Elrick Public School in the winter months when they were not needed to work in the field. They also attended Confirmation Instructions at Immanuel Lutheran school.

He served in World War I, but did not go over seas. He took his basic training at what was then called Camp Pike, Arkansas. He was on a ship headed for Europe when word came that the Armistice had been signed (Nov 11) and the ship returned to New York harbor. The soldiers had been issued overseas uniforms and when they paraded down Fifth Ave. in New Yoark City, they were lauded as people thought they were "back from the warfront". He was a member of VFW.

Farmed the "home place" until retirement in 1955. Crops were rotation of corn, wheat, oats, alfalfa, timothy hay (special for the horses), some clover for hay and a big pasture. He also ran a herd of 28 black angus cattle. Calves were sold as yearlings or fed in the feed lot and sold as "fat cattle" depending on the demand and prices. At one time he also raised sheep, selling the lambs as a cash crop. However, loss to coyotes and neighboring dogs made him quit that. During the WWII years, he and Laura milked more cows and rented out the tillable acres. This was because he could not find hired help to assist in farming and his health (kidney problems) had restricted his own abilities. They sold the farm and moved to a house on 22nd street in Clarinda, Iowa, in the early 50's where they lived until his death.

Walter E. Baumgarten, son of Mr and Mrs Fred Baumgarten, was born August 12, 1894 at Clarinda. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church. He was married to Laura Rurode, March 9, 1922 at Clarinda. They farmed northwest of Clarinda until 1953 when they moved to town.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 98 of Clarinda.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister.

He is survived by his wife, Laura, one daughter, Mrs Carroll (Arliss A.) Powell of Tuscon, Arizona. Two brothers: Albert of Clarinda and Will of Bethesda, Iowa.

Funeral services for Walter E. Baumgarten, 75, of Clarinda were held this Monday afternoon at St John's Lutheran Church in Clarinda, the Rev Alfred Bertke officiating.

Burial was under the direction of the Lavelie Funeral Home in the Clarinda Cemetery with military graveside services by American Legion Post 98 of Clarinda.

Music was furnished by the church choir, accompanied by Mrs Leland Herzberg. In charge of the register books were Mrs Herbert Herzberg and Mrs Paul Herzberg. Ushers were Darwin Herzberg and Clifford Goecker.

Casketbearers were Sidney Creveling, Leland Herzberg, Russell Holt, Ted Herzberg, Keith Wilson and Robert Rank. Baumgarten died early Friday morning at the Municipal Hospital after an illness of many years.

He was born Aug 12, 1894 at Clarinda, the son of Mr and Mrs Fred Baumgarten. He was married to Laura Rurode, March 9, 1922 at Clarinda. They farmed northwest of Clarinda until 1953 when they moved to town.

He served in the Army during World War I and became a member of the American Legion Post 98 of Clarinda.

He is survived by his wife, Laura, a daughter, Mrs Carroll (Arliss A.) Powell, of Tuscon, Ariz., two brothers, Albert of Clarinda and Will of Bethesda. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister.