Dora S. Baumbach, 89, of Sparta, died Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center, Sparta. She was born on December 24, 1918 in North Bend, WI to Harvey and Dora (Smith) Patterson. There family originally came from Glasgow, Scotland.

     Her mother passed away when Dora was two days old, due to child birth and the flu epidemic of 1918. She and her brother and sister were raised by her grandparents, Emma and Hugh Smith. Dora graduated from Melrose High School in 1936. She worked at Monroe County Hospital for four years and at Schultz Brothers Dime Store.

     Dora married Raymond Baumbach on October 21, 1948 by Pastor Arthur Berg. They farmed in Farmer’s Valley for several years and then moved to Sparta in 1984. Raymond passed away in June 1994.

     Dora was a member of St. John’s Ladies Aid and Farmer’s Valley Homemaker Club for many years.

     Dora is survived by two half brothers, Gary of Melrose and Kenneth of Tomah; a half sister, Beatrice Scholze of West Salem; a step sister, La Von Zeman of Melrose; several nieces and nephews; and her special friends, the Parlow families of Belvidere, IL.

     She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Spencer; and her sister, Zina.

     Funeral services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Sparta, with Reverend Mark Wessel officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Cemetery.

     Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services.

     The Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.