Tony was born on May 2, 1923, in Strasburg, ND to Anton and Magdalena (Wagner) Baumgartner. He graduated from Strasburg High School in 1943, and was then called to serve in the Army during World War II. He was stationed in the Philippines and rarely talked about his days in the service. He often said that the only way they could get him to go back there was "dead".

He was an excellent cook and baker; a trade he learned in the army. He served from October 20, 1944, to December 13, 1946.  After his service, he came back to Strasburg, ND, where he spent some time teaching rural country school.  Thereafter, he farmed and raised cattle alongside his parents. He moved into Strasburg and helped take care of them in their elderly years. After their passing, he remained in the house until he was 95 years old. His declining health forced him to move to the Strasburg Care Center in May of 2018.

Tony was a very independent individual. He enjoyed playing cards, was an avid reader, a concerned citizen and a very devout and faithful Catholic.

He is survived by one brother, Leroy Baumgartner (Portland, OR); 3 sisters, Elizabeth Larson (Aberdeen, SD), Clara Silvernagel (Strasburg, ND), and Viola Weisbeck (Palatine, IL); and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his 5 brothers and 4 sisters, Luella Wagner, Anna Goldade, Kathryn and Mary Bauchmeier, Celestine Klein, Andrew, Alois, Edward, and Clarence Baumgartner.