Paula Marie Baumgart Cates, 64, of Lanesville, Indiana, passed peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Friday, January 23, 2026. She was born on August 7, 1961 in New Albany, Indiana, to the late Willis L. “Hook” and R. Faye Speigelhalder Baumgart.

 

Paula was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church near Lanesville and was a retired nurse. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Kim, Tracy, and all the angels from Visiting Angels for their love, care, and support.

 

Survivors include her husband, Rick Cates; her sons, Nathan (Christy), Dustin, and Jonathan (Jacqueline) Cates; her grandchildren; Lillian, Jaxson, Ruby, Rylan, and Stevie; her sister, Carol Baumgart; and her nieces and nephews, Danielle Haire (Mason), Jacob Chanley, and Tara, Chelsea, and Camden Nichols.

 

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2026, at St. John’s Lutheran Church near Lanesville. Pastor Michael Terkula will officiate. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery.

 

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, February 1, 2026, and 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026 at Beanblossom-Cesar Funeral in Corydon.

 

Pallbearers will be Evan Hussung, Cody Hussung, Chris Gunther, Ethan Bridges, Devon McColloch and Anthony Lieber.

 

The family requests that expressions of sympathy be made to The Glioblastoma Research Organization, 2045 Biscayne Blvd #189, Miami, Forida 33137 or at https://www.gbmresearch.org/donate.