Mary Lou Baumann

Mary Lou Baumann, 86, of Rensselaer, IN, ended the last chapter in the story of her life when she passed away on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. Mary Lou’s story began when she was born in Bluffton, IN, on November 17, 1936, the daughter of William Earl Sr. and Opal G. (Williams) Hower. Mary Lou graduated from P.A. Allen High School in Bluffton with the Class of 1954. After a childhood on the family farm, she graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in education and then earned her master’s degree in library science in 1962, also at Indiana University. She met John Raymond Baumann when they were both young teachers in Rensselaer, and they married on November 22, 1962, in Remington, IN. They recently celebrated 60 happy years together, 55 of which they have shared in the house that they lovingly designed and built. Mary Lou turned her lifelong passion for reading into her career as the Librarian and Audio/Visual Director at Rensselaer Central High School for thirty-three years. Previously, she taught at Franklin Township School Corporation in Marion County, and she was both teacher and librarian at Seoul American High in Korea for a year. Her experiences overseas ignited an ongoing interest in travel and foreign cultures. She credited books with expanding her perspective and nurturing her curiosity about the world. Mary Lou was an active member and past president of both Delta Kappa Gamma and the Rensselaer Ladies’ Literary Society. Researching family genealogy and playing bridge with friends were also things that brought her great joy. Mary Lou is survived by her husband, John; daughter, Barbara (Steve) Healey of Zionsville, IN; and grandson, Brian Healey of Bloomington, IN. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents; brother, William Hower; and granddaughter, Anna Healey. Friends may call on the family at St. Augustine Catholic Church of Rensselaer on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held immediately following at 11:00 AM CT with Father Joshua Bennett officiating. Interment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Rensselaer. Memorials may be made to A.N.N.A. at www.annafund.com, a charity created in honor of her granddaughter.

Mary Lou Baumann

November 17, 1936 - September 5, 2023