Douglas 'Doug' Baumann

Douglas “Doug” Baumann, 76, Town of Wausau, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at home surrounded by his family, just 37 days after being diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. He was under the care of his loving wife of 53 years, Sharon and Aspirus Hospice and Comfort Care. He was born May 14, 1949, in Wausau, the son of the late Eugene and Bernice (Kranz) Baumann. Doug attended Zion Lutheran school and graduated from Wausau High School in 1967. On June 10,1972 he married Sharon Lev at Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau. Doug and Sharon had dated for 5 years and even separated states for a short time before getting married, but it was true love and they were together though his last breath.

A millwright at the Weyerhaeuser Paper Mill in Rothschild for 34 years, Doug retired at the age of 55. After retirement he and Sharon spent many years camping “Up North” and traveling. They planned trips in their motor home alone and with family and visited many states spending extended time in places like North Carolina and Florida. They also went out west several times seeing our national parks and camping along the way. Doug also started raising beef to share with his children, becoming a farmer at the age of 60.

Doug loved to go fast! When his family was young, they spent many hours snowmobiling and four wheeling. He was an active member of the Nutterville Sno Doggers(Nuts) for many years helping them get their 1st new Tucker, and groomed countless miles of trails. His family would put on thousands of miles each winter always trying to hit that “1000 mile” mark during Christmas break alone each year. The family rarely stopped to go inside, instead they took breaks along the trail, dad ways had a Kit Kat or Hershey bar in his pocket as a treat to share and they would be off again for more adventures.

In 1989 at the age of 40, Doug took up motocross. This was a passion that carried on throughout the rest of his life. Starting with a father-son relay race on a borrowed bike at Hixton, WI. That race grew to be a lifestyle; the family spent most weekends at a racetrack somewhere in district 16 between April and October. He also practiced every day on his practice track in the back yard. Doug made many friends along the way and earned many trophies and jackets. He also broke many bones gaining the nick name “Gimpy” by his family, neighborhood kids, and race friends. He often bragged about his 17 surgeries and multiple pieces of hardware, rods, plates and screws used to put him back together. He passed his need for speed and love of motocross to his son, grandsons and even great-grandson.

Doug was a devoted father and grandfather. He attended every softball game, soccer game, swim meet, wrestling meet, ice skating competition, band concert, track meet, tractor pull or motocross event they competed in. Sometimes packing up the motor home and traveling great distances with Sharon, to just be there. He was very handy and built playground sets, bear cages, did home repairs and upgrades, fixed bikes, snowmobiles, go-carts and helped with maintenance of vehicles. He truly did anything for his children and grandchildren. He could often be found in his shop with his buddy Dewbus, his springer spaniel, working on a project. Doug planned every vacation with his family spending many hours camping, fishing, water skiing and tubing during the summer in the state forest campgrounds of northern Wisconsin. During the last several summers, after his first broken femur slowed his motocross activities a bit, he and Sharon found enjoyment riding UTVs. They spent many hours and miles exploring together in the UP and northern Wisconsin.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon Baumann, Town of Wausau. His children; Bradley (Barb) Baumann, Wausau and Kristie (Chris) Winter, Merrill. His grandchildren; Tanner Steele, Cassie Krueger, Matthew Meverden, Wausau; Amber Winter (Ryder Depies), Emily Winter, Logan Meverden (Hatti Learned), Merrill. Great-grandchildren Arthur Hogan and Aspyn Steele, Wausau. Sister Roxane (Jim) Jensen, Longmont CO and brother Gary Baumann (Jodi Wescott), Kohler WI. He also leaves behind his best friend and companion, Dewbus. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law Jim Jensen and William Lev.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Doug’s hospice nurse Kathy for her kindness and compassion during his final days. The family also wishes to thank Pastor Scott Gustafson with Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill for his thoughtfulness.

Following Doug’s wishes the family will mourn privately and there will be no formal memorial services.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation Services of Merrill is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com