Lena Rose Michael

Lena, age 105, passed peacefully in her sleep on September 15, 2016, at Alta Vista Manor, Vista, CA, just three weeks short of her 106th birthday. She was our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.

Lena Rose Baumgartner, twin daughter of Matt and Bertha Bram Baumgartner, was born on October 5th, 1910, in Humbird, Wisconsin. She was baptized and later confirmed in St. John’s Reformed Church in Humbird. After attending grade school and graduating high school here in 1929, she then attended Ripon College, graduating with honors (cum laude) in 1932.

Lena taught math in Humbird High School for three years. On June 30, 1936, she was united in marriage to Pastor John M. Michael, also of Humbird. Thereafter, they moved to Indiana for John’s first pastorate. In the ensuing years, they lived in Ohio and Michigan. After raising two children, David and Loie, Lena went back into the teaching field and taught elementary school in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. In 1994, John and Lena moved to Encinitas from their initial retirement location in Eagle River, Wisconsin.

Throughout her life, Lena was always an active participant in the life of the church, teaching Sunday School, singing in choirs, helping in women’s organizations, and always being supportive of anyone in need. Besides her strong church connections, Lena also loved crocheting, gardening, cooking, reading, road trips and camping. And when John and Lena moved to Encinitas, in 1994, Lena became an ardent fan of the Padres. But always her greatest love was for her family and for her Lord.

Lena is survived by one daughter, Loie, of Cardiff by the Sea, CA; five grandchildren, Matthew (Nichole) Banks, Sara (David) Michael Luna, Michael (Tara) Banks, Timothy (Jessica) Michael, and Johanna (Andy) Chenous; and ten great grandchildren, Sierra, Michaela, Jack, Matthew, Elena, Owen, Brian, Alec, Kim, and Kai. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, John, on November 10, 1999; her twin sister, Bertha, in 2008, four other sisters and one brother; and her son, David, on June 7, 2015.

Lena was comfort, peace, and love to all who would be near her, and she knew this to be a blessing from her faithful Lord and Savior. May God who cared for Lena in this life, and will be with her in eternity, also bless us.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM, September 24, 2016, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 925 Balour Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024.