| Graduation Year | Class of 1980 |
| Date of Passing | Aug 26, 2023 |
| About | Alisa “Lisa” Catherine Baumgardner, 61, of Billings, passed away at home, leaving us much too early, on Aug. 26, 2023. On June 2, 1962, she brought extra joy to this world when she was born to William Bell and beloved mother Charolette Bell in Seattle, Washington. Lisa also had an older sister, Tina Bell. Lisa spent most of her early life in Yakima, Washington. She graduated from Eisenhower High in 1980. Lisa had a natural and effervescent sparkle she carried with her everywhere. She shared it with all when she joined the Drill Team her junior year. Her senior year, she led the team. She went on to study at Flathead Valley Community College, graduating with Honors in Applied Science and Business Education. She was crazy smart, and so it is no surprise that she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Fraternity. During her time in Flathead Valley, she met Bill DuBeau. They married in 1995 and had two beautiful daughters, MacKenzie and Keaton. She devoted herself to her girls; they were undoubtedly her greatest joy. She was a loving mother and homemaker. She proudly homeschooled her girls in their early years and was rightfully delighted with how successful they became. She became known as “Mama Lisa” — a befitting name shared by her daughters’ friends. It was a title she was proud of, and it stuck. When the girls attended school, she was first in line to volunteer, prioritizing the girls over career opportunities. Lisa was counting down the days to meeting her new granddaughter Elsie in September. She was eager to shower her with love, snuggles, and all the goodness of being “Grammy.” Lisa’s working career was a good mix. Her first love was the service industry because she enjoyed the interaction with her customers. Later, she decided to move into the medical community by way of medical records and then on to patient intake specialist. After some changes in her life, she met Kevin Baumgardner in September 2010, and they were married on Jan. 4, 2014. Together, they enjoyed cooking, gardening, camping, floating, ice fishing, and big and spontaneous adventures in their candy-apple red jeep. Lisa will be remembered by her loved ones as a generous friend and mother figure. She never hesitated to extend a dinner invitation or to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies for her loved ones. She made the house a home, always warming it with charm, spice and humor. She added Buddy the kitten to the family mix, reveling in the role of a devoted cat mom. She loved the arts and starred in various community theater productions. She was an avid reader, and a fan of the color orange, which suited her well, given its vibrancy like her own. She was a friend to all, with a soul made of sunshine, and will be so deeply missed. She was preceded in death by her father, William Bell; mother Charolette Farnsworth; father-in-law Jim Baumgardner; and, of course, her favorite cat Sophie. She is survived by her loving husband, Kevin; daughters Mackenzie (Danton) Evilsizer and Keaton DuBeau; granddaughter Elsie Evilsizer; special stepfather Jerry Farnsworth; stepson Matthew (Meghan) Baumgardner; granddaughter Kinsley Baumgardner; stepdaughter Lauren Baumgardner; mother-in-law Cherry Baumgardner; former mother-in-law Betty DuBeau; sister-in-law Colleen Baumgardner; sister-in-law Colette (Bill) Davies; and extended family and friends. A memorial is in the works with details to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Help for Homeless Pets or the shelter of your choice. |
