Richard I. Bumann

Richard I. Bumann

1932 – 2024

CASTANA - Richard Bumann, 92, of Castana, passed away on Monday, July 29, 2024, at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Peter’s United Church of Christ of Mapleton. Eugene Tolstedt will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Kennebec Cemetery of Castana. Military Rites will be conducted by the Loren Hollister Post No. 496 of the American Legion of Mapleton.

A visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton. The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton is in charge of the funeral arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Richard’s name may be directed to the St. Peter’s United Church of Christ of Mapleton.

Richard Irvin Bumann, the son of Irvin Fritz and Anna (Moller) Bumann, was born on Mar. 19, 1932, at the Hartley Memorial Hospital in Battle Creek. He grew up on a farm in Hayes Township near Battle Creek where he attended country school through the eighth grade. He then continued to help his family on the farm.

On June 21, 1953, Richard was united in marriage to LaDonna Bahnsen at the Friedens Evangelical and Reformed Church of Schleswig. In 1954, he joined the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. Upon his honorable discharge in 1957, Richard returned home to help his father farm. 

Soon after, Richard and LaDonna started farming for themselves near Ida Grove. They bought their first 1,000 acres, later known as Timber Ridge, in 1969. They soon realized if they were going to be successful, they needed to move there, so after a farm sale in 1973, the young Bumann family moved to Timber Ridge. They continued to buy more surrounding land and developed an outdoor recreational area. In 1977, the couple built the Lodge where many events were held and great meals were served. Many friends were made with memberships and summer personal homes being established in the timber.

Richard was known for his biscuits and gravy served on Sunday mornings and his steaks served on Saturday nights. He was the dreamer and LaDonna was the one to implement the ideas. The couple also ran a saw mill in the lumber business and grew their own grapes to make and sell their own wine at Timber Ridge Winery.

Richard was a member of the St. Peter’s United Church of Christ and the Loren Hollister Post No. 496 of the American Legion of Mapleton. Work was Richard’s passion, but he always found time for fun too. He and LaDonna traveled the world, including multiple countries during their five weeks in Europe, plus Australia, New Zealand, and most every state in the United States. The couple loved to play cards, primarily Pinochle, and were in several card clubs. They also enjoyed square dancing. Richard loved to go to Scoles Barber Shop in Mapleton in the morning to get the local news and share laughs with his buddies.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife of 71 years, LaDonna Bumann of Castana; children Steven Bumann of Castana; Brian (Donna) Bumann of Castana; Annette (J. Scott) Hendon of Dallas, Texas; and Troy (Rhonda) Bumann of Castana; grandchildren Aimee (Jay) Barritt; Chelsee (Harry Hoang) Bumann; Kylie (Ethan) Heinse; Eric (Cathy) Bumann; Cory (Abby Gray) Bumann; Heidi Vaughn; Morgan Hendon; Harrison (Jordan) Hendon; James Haggerty; and Tonya (Travis) Hart; 12 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Irvin and Anna Bumann; and brother Robert “Bob” (Greta) Bumann.

The family would like to thank the staff at Willow Dale Wellness Village for their care and compassion while Richard resided there.

Condolences may be sent online at www.armstrongfuneral.com.

Services: Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Mapleton

Burial: Kennebec Cemetery, Castana

Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home • Mapleton • 712-882-2566