Vernice Baumstark

Mrs. H. F. (Vernice V.) Baumstark, 93, of Chateau Girardeau, Cape Girardeau, Missouri passed away on July 5, 2011. Vernice was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and an altruistic woman to her community. Mrs. Baumstark was born near Gordonville, Missouri, August 31, 1917, to Ervin C. R. Vogelsang & Emilie (Franck) Vogelsang. At age 6, the family moved to Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She was the widow of Dr. H. F. Baumstark, a longtime dentist in Cape Girardeau, MO. He preceded her in death on July 16, 1979. They were married April 9, 1942 in St. Louis, Missouri. Vernice (Vogelsang) Baumstark was a graduate of DePaul Hospital School of Nursing in 1939. In 1979 she was made an honorary member of DePaul Alumnae. Her genuine dedication to community service began the year she was married, first serving as the Red Cross instructor of Nurse Aide at Old St. Francis Hospital during WWII. During flood periods in the Cape area, she was charge nurse of the Red Cross Nurse Aides. She helped in medical history at blood drives and was a longtime blood donor. She was active with the Blood Program at St. Francis Medical Center from its inception. As a Girl Scout leader for 11 years she also taught Home Nursing; being active as Brownie, Junior and Senior Scout leader. At Old St. Vincent School in 1951 she originated the health program for the school, as well as the Holy Family (Mission) School and served 9 years. Later, she helped Notre Dame High School with a health program to meet the needs for membership in the accreditation of Secondary Northwestern Catholic High School. She also served for 3 years as a den mother for the Cub Scouts at Old St. Vincent School. In 1958, she was instrumental in the inception of the then Retarded Children Association (R.C.A.). Serving on a most successful finance drive in 1959 a pre-school was started. As a charter board member of R.C.A. she also became active with the VIP Industries. After the opening of the Residential Center and Respite Care Home, she served as nurse consultant. With Sister Virgilia, as Administrator of Old St. Francis Hospital, Vernice helped to organize the auxiliary, and became the first president, 1959-1961. Re-elected as the 9th president in 1975; she served as the last president at Old St. Francis Hospital and the first president in 1976 at the new St. Francis Medical Center. She was a Life Member of the Auxiliary. Her dedication spurred her to have the statue of St. Francis moved to the new Medical Center, with the fountain at the entrance. Due to her concern for a memorial for St. Francis, the bell tower at Old St. Francis was salvaged, being installed in later years in a grotto in honor of Sister Virgilia, by the Administrative Board. She also served as chair of the Candy Stripers, Gift Cart, Emergency Room, Christmas Decorations, Lifeline, Flowers, Health Fair for the Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging, Fall Festival, and the Craft group. In 1977 she was chosen Auxiliary Woman of the year by the Missouri Hospital Association. She was a life member of the Friends of St. Francis. In 1980 she was the 6th person to be selected as Honorary by the Friends. This automatically gave her the privilege to serve in choosing future honorary members. As a member of the Wednesday Club, GFWC she served as Treasurer, Secretary, Citizenship Chairman, District Sophomore Pilgrimage Chairman, District Revisions, and Resolutions Chairman. In 1981, Mrs. Baumstark was chosen to represent the state of Missouri as the first distinguished Volunteer of the Year Award. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the V.F.W. Post 3838. She was very active with the Cancer Society. From 1959-1961, she was the House-to-House Crusade Chairman, president 1963-1964, then secretary for 10 years. When Reach to Recovery was begun in Cape Girardeau in 1971, Mrs. Baumstark was the coordinator at both St. Francis and Southeast Hospitals for 15 years. Besides a life membership of the State Historical Society of Missouri, she was a member of the Historical Association of the Greater Cape Girardeau and the Cape River Heritage Museum. Vernice was a charter member of the SEMO chapter of the Kidney Foundation. Other organizations she supported were; Community Concert, SEMO Council on the Arts, White House Retreat in St. Louis, University Theatre and Missouri Citizens for Life. In 1979, she joined Old St. Vincent Church. She was a choir member as well as a lector. When Friends of Old St. Vincent, Inc. was organized for restoration of the church Vernice served on the Special Gifts and General Solicitations Committee. She was nominated for "Woman of the Year", sponsored by the Business and Professional Women�s Club and also for the "Golden Deeds Award" which the Chamber of Commerce sponsored. She lived in Port Orange, Florida between the years of 1987-1995. She was a member of the Church of Epiphany and a volunteer at Sugar Mill Elementary. Upon her return to Cape Girardeau, she volunteered at St. Mary�s school. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her brother Bob Vogelsang (Sandra) Farmington, Missouri, beloved daughters, Mrs. Harriet Maier, Rockville, Maryland, Mrs. Mary Barnes, Rockville, Maryland, and beloved son Vincent (Susan) Baumstark, Port Orange, Florida, Mrs. John S. Baumstark (Mary Alice) of Omaha, Nebraska as well as 10 loving grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. H. F. Baumstark, her son Dr. John S. Baumstark, three sisters; Mrs. Viola Reed, Mrs. Erma Oliver, and Mrs. Vera Phillips, and five brothers, Ervin, Earl, Calvin, Kenneth and Charles Vogelsang. Vernice Baumstark enjoyed spending time with family and friends, bowling, and serving her church and community. Viewing will be held from 5-7 PM Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home. Parish prayers will be at 7 PM. The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at Old St. Vincent Church with the Rev. Msgr. Richard Rolwing officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary�s Cemetery. It is Mrs. Baumstark�s request that Memorials be given to Old St. Vincent Church or St. Francis Medical Center.

Tributes

Vernice Baumstark

July 5, 2011