Ione Clara Baganz

Ione Clara Baganz, 89, of Mount Calvary passed away peacefully Thursday, September 11, 2025. She was born in St. Cloud, WI on September 20, 1935, the daughter of the late Joseph and Lucille Schaefer Duwell. On October 9, 1954, she married the love of her life, Edward (Ed) Baganz at St. John the Baptist Church in Johnsburg. They had 57 blessed years together before he passed away in 2012.

Ione worked tirelessly from morning to night beside Ed on the family farm for 35 years. She spent the last 30 years working as an interior decorator in Fond du Lac, most recently through Quest Interiors.

Ione enjoyed traveling, especially yearly vacations with her family. In later years, she began to see the beauty in nature’s creations. She spent time outdoors because it was enjoyable, and not because it meant work. Gardening was a favorite pastime, particularly when planting purple flowers, because purple was her passion. This was reflected in her home décor and her clothing. Ione found the colors of the desert and mountains particularly stunning. She loved watching the clouds and the stars. Waiting to see the full moon rise each month was an event on her calendar, she would get very disappointed when it would get blocked by the clouds. When the weather was warm, Ione would often sit on her deck to watch the trees blow in the wind and listen to the birds sing (who, of course, were only singing to her!).

Ione is survived by two daughters, Debra (Joe) LaRosa of Tucson, AZ; Suzanne (Wayne) Goodacre of Wauwatosa; two granddaughters, Magen and Sadie; grandson Steven; great-grandson Antonio; two sisters Mary (Dale) Foskett of Greenfield; Judy Hatch of Moorpark, CA; brother Dr. James (Melodi) Duwell of Hilton Head, SC; and brother-in-law Al Hallam of Cincinnati, OH.

Preceding her in death were 4 brothers and their spouses, Joseph (Arlene), Eugene (Doris), John (Lillian) and Norbert; one sister Verna Hallam; and one brother-in-law Dean Hatch.

Visitation will take place Friday, September 19, 2025 beginning at 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 AM at Shepherd of the Hills Catholic Church, W1562 County Road B, Eden.

A private entombment will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the American National Red Cross or the American Heart Association. Visit www.zacherlfuneralhome.com to send condolences.