Janeen Baumgardner

Janeen Myrtle (Saathoff) Baumgardner, 85, of Cullom passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on March 19, 2026, at her home. She was born August 29, 1940, in Pontiac, the daughter of John and Myrtle Stahl Saathoff. She married Gabriel Baumgardner on September 29, 1962, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cullom. He survives.

She is also survived by a daughter, Laura (Paul Todino) Baumgardner; a son, Thomas (Joni) Baumgardner; and four grandchildren, Kirsten (Aaron) Schulz, Addison Humburg, Emma Humburg, and Fletcher Baumgardner. She is survived by a sister, Sharon (Robert) Pratt; a sister-in-law, Marsha (Richard) Kutter; two brothers-in-law, Thomas and Roger (Christine) Baumgardner; many nieces and nephews, and her beloved cat, Ralph.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Joan Baumgardner.

Janeen was educated in Cullom. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University in elementary education and later earned her master’s degree in elementary education with a specialty in reading. She began her teaching career in Bloomington, where she taught 2nd grade. She was the founder and director of three preschools: Kiddie Korner, Noah’s Ark, and Little Lambs. She later taught kindergarten and first grade at Washington Catholic in Washington, Indiana, before her retirement in 2005. She was a longtime member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cullom.

Faith, family, and the farm were the most important aspects of Janeen’s life. In retirement, she began painting beautiful pictures of memories she had of her family and farm. She authored a series of children’s books called Kinderkitty. She was her family’s prayer warrior.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 24 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cullom. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at West Lawn Cemetery in Cullom.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cullom.