Urilda "Bea" M. Baumchen

It is with heavy hearts we announce the death of Bea Baumchen age 90 of Hibbing. Bea passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 15th in her home surrounded by her family.

Bea was born in Bear River Mn on November 26th, 1934 to Howard and Aurilla Kinney, she attended Hibbing High School and then married Raymond Baumchen on October 4th 1952, together they had 9 children. She had many jobs and hobbies throughout her life including being a Ward Clerk and an Autopsy Assistant at the Hibbing Hospital, serving at the Sportsman’s café, Front Desk at the Androy Hotel, Security Guard at Hibbing Taconite, at the age of 80 she became a certified Minn Kota Motor Technician, and most of all Driving. She drove for St. Louis County as a volunteer driver for many years, as well as Hibbing Taxi on the side.

She continued to drive until the last time to attend her 90th birthday party in November 2024. She dedicated so much of her life to driving that Bea, in 2017 was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her commitment to community service from the office of The President of the United States of America and was signed by President Obama. 

Bea loved camping and swimming with her family and was a campground hostess at the Bear Lake Campground for multiple summers. She also loved to play cards, she taught/played many games with all of us. Later she found the love of the casino and did what we will call a “little” bit of gambling. 

She later married Henry Baumchen on  April 10th, 2006, and spent the last almost 20 years, playing daily games of cards, and feeding her beloved deer from her front window. 

It can’t go without being mentioned that she was a woman with a heart of gold. She has left a footprint that will never be filled, but always cherished and honored by all who knew her. We cannot imagine the number of lives she touched, but so proud and blessed that she did.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Aurilla Kinney. Siblings; Art, Howard, Ernie, and Connie. Husband Raymond. Children; Wesley, Eugene, Dale, Louis, and Jackie and one Grandchild Eric She is survived by her Husband Henry, Children: Ted, Tom (Angela), Jo, Mark. Grandchildren: Kristine, Heather, Lynn, Robert, Paul, Allen, TJ, Danielle, Patrick, Alisha, Nathan, Austin, Tanya, Jacob, Raeanne, and Crystal. 17 great-grandchildren with one on the way, 8 great-great-grandchildren, and Countless others who called her grandma over the years along with so many special nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on March 22, 2025, at the Salvation Army in Hibbing, MN. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM with a luncheon to follow.