Paper: Bismarck Tribune, The (ND) - Date: August 27, 2003
Deceased: John Baumstarck

John A. Baumstarck, 78, one of Mandan's prominent business leaders for more than 35 years, passed away Aug. 26, 2003, at his home surrounded by his wife and children after a long bout with cancer. Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mandan, with the Rev. Patrick A. Schumacher officiating. Burial will be in Mandan Union Cemetery.
John was born June 7, 1925, at Linton to Adam and Julianna (Vetter) Baumstarck. He was raised on a farm near Linton and attended rural schools there. On Oct. 26, 1948, he married Rose Kelsch in Linton and they were blessed with 12 children.
John began his career selling sewing machines with Singer in Bismarck. He was quickly distinguished as a top salesman and earned many sales awards. He was recognized as an authority on sewing machines. He leveraged this success and launched the first of several stores in Dickinson in 1964. He later opened another store in Mandan, which served as his base of operations until his retirement several years ago.
From the time John was a very young boy, he began to pray the rosary at family events, funerals and weddings. Fluent in both German and English, he was able to lead the rosary for both large and small groups. As a practicing Catholic all his life, he regularly attended daily Mass. He was also actively involved in civic and social events as a Fourth Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus in Mandan.
John had three passions: his family, his deep and unshakable faith in God and pinochle.
John is survived by his best friend and wife of 54 years, Rose, Mandan; 12 children and their spouses, Leona (Dennis) Hempler, Tulsa, Okla., John (Jean), Vancouver, Wash., Adam (Joan), Gainesville, Fla., Leo, Redmond, Wash., Shirley (Mark) Voss, Bismarck, Linda (Jamie) Carmichael, West Fargo, Al, Fargo, Julie (Jim) Rhoades, Fort Collins, Colo., Rosa Lee (Greg) Baranyk, Gainesville, Richard, Fargo, Hilary (Peggy), Bellingham, Wash., and Mary, Bismarck; 24 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by five sisters, Kennegunda (Leo) Unser, Frances Baer, Sister Leona Baumstarck, Margarita (Alfred) Steiger and Julianna (Valentine) Malsom; one brother, Adam (Cecilia) Baumstarck; and two sisters-in-law, Beverly Baumstarck and Katherine Baumstarck.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Adam and Julianna; two sisters, Annamary Miller and Albina Leingang; and two brothers, Joe and Conrad.