Fred Baum Jr., age 94, of Huron, died on Sunday, September 23, 2012, at Huron Regional Center. His funeral service will be 10:30 am Friday, September 28, 2012 at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Huron with burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery in Huron. Visitation with family present will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, September 27, 2012 at Welter Funeral Home in Huron with a scripture service at 7:00 p.m.; or one hour prior to the service at the church. Fred Julius Baum, Jr., the son of Fred SR & Edith (Miller) Baum, was born August 8, 1918, in Beadle County. He attended Cain Creek School through the eighth grade. Right out of school Fred started working on the family farm with his dad. Fred was on standby during WW II. Fred had many activities that he enjoyed doing in his youth. Fred enjoyed hunting, playing piano, violin, electric guitar, breaking horses, and riding in the rodeo. Fred always said he was amazed that he never broke a bone. Fred enjoyed going dancing on Saturday nights. On one Saturday night Fred was on main street by Newberry's corner, when he happened to notice one lovely woman on the corner with her sisters. He went over to introduce himself to this lovely young lady. Fred's "angelic smile" won her over and on October 19, 1940, Fred & Dorothy were married in De Smet, SD. Fred and Dorothy started their farm together in 1944 south of Huron. Through Fred's efforts his farm grew into the Baum homestead. With this came four children and a marriage that lasted seventy one years. His faith brought him through hard times that the family faced. Fred was a dedicated husband, father, & grandfather. Fred considered nobody a stranger. He always opened his heart & home to anybody. Fred loved to sit around and tell his stories to family & friends. He always had a story or a joke to tell. Fred had a contagious smile that would win over anybody's heart. In 2002 Fred had a dream about opening up a shooting range. In October 2002 Fred's dream came true when Carol & Paul opened up Freddies Sporting Clays. The shooters enjoyed Fred's stories as much as Fred enjoyed telling them. Most recently Fred enjoyed going to the river fishing with Mike & Lola. There was always a fishing story to be told when he got back home. Fred also got to go do some traveling with Carol & Paul, which he enjoyed along with spending time at the lake and watching the boats. Fred was dedicated to his Red Man. He always had to have it close by, even during his last days. Fred had a great legacy that he passed on to his family who will continue to pass it on to future generations. Fred was a one of a kind man. Fred will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Grateful for having shared in Fred's life are his son, Michael (Lola) Baum of Brandon SD; daughter, Carol (Paul) Kappler of Huron SD; 10 grandchildren, Lori Tandy, Andy Erickson, Travis Baum, Shelly Vanderhule, Shannon Baum, Shane Ringheimer, Nikki Nichols, Fred Baum, Amy Hofer, Josh Smidt, Dannielle Jensen; 23 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Ila (Mac) Haskell, brother, Warren; several nieces and nephews. Fred was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Dorothy; son, Fred Baum; daughter, Patricia Smidt; grandson, Torrey; and one sister, Eva Belle Schnetzer. Fred joined his Lord & wife on Sunday September 23, 2012, surrounded by his family at the age of 94 years and 47 days.