Theo Baumgartner Krieger passed away on Monday, November 23, 2020 at the age of 75, at her home on San Juan Island, Washington, after facing serious medical issues in recent years.
Theo was born on September 18, 1945 in Portland, Oregon, to parents Jean & Thomas Baumgartner, and was the older sister of Dr. Nia Baumgartner Hansen and Tom Baumgartner. After graduating from Bellevue High School in Bellevue, Washington, she attended the University of Oregon in Eugene, where she later graduated with a teaching certificate and a degree in education. It was also in Eugene that she met her husband and best friend of nearly 55 years, Wolf Krieger. Together, they had one child, Marlis Krieger Sandwith, a son-in-law, Roger Sandwith, and three grandchildren, Gunnar, Finn and Ada.
Though Theo was a private person in many ways, she made an enormous impact on many people (and animals) in this world. In addition to many years working in public schools, she was an incredible cook, gardener, dog mom, traveler, art collector, and an avid reader. It’s entirely possible she broke a world record for number of books read in a lifetime. She was a devoted mother to Marlis, and later became “Grandma T” to her three beloved grandchildren. In addition to her husband, daughter and son-in-law, grandchildren and siblings, Theo leaves behind beloved cousins, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many cherished friends.
Though Theo’s wishes did not include a formal funeral service, just one day after the one-year anniversary of her death, her family gathered to scatter some of her ashes at Deadman’s Bay, her favorite beach on San Juan Island. The remainder will be scattered at the beach near her family home in Seaside, Oregon. A small celebration of her life will be held in Spring 2022.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the following organizations, all of which were very important to Theo during her life: Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, The Center for Whale Research, the San Juan Island Library, and the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor.
Theo’s family invites you to share memories and condolences via her online memorial site:
