Every August 30, the Baumgart family of Woodbine, Iowa, gathers at Woodbine Cemetery to sing “Happy Birthday” for their mother and grandmother, Barbara Lenz, who vanished on May 6, 1989. Though Lenz would have turned 69 this year, the family continues to honor her memory with music, prayer, and shared stories.
Family remembrance and new hope
“Just making sure she is always loved and remembered,” said Lindsy Baumgart, who was three years old when her mother disappeared. The family’s annual ceremony includes a soft chorus that drifts through the cemetery, a stone that reads, “Barbara Lenz. Born on August 30, 1957. Missing since May 6, 1989. Mother of Lindsy,” and a recording of Lenz playing guitar at age 16, heard for the first time since she was a child.
“I feel like more than anything I just want to be a huge advocate against domestic violence. It’s very important to me,” Baumgart added, linking her personal loss to a broader call for safety and respect within families.
Conviction after 37 years
In May 2026, Robert Davis, Lenz’s former boyfriend, was convicted of second‑degree murder, marking the first conviction for Iowa’s newly formed cold‑case unit, established in 2024. The verdict came 37 years after Lenz’s disappearance and provided the family with a measure of validation. “I feel like this year, we have a validation of what we have always known,” Baumgart said.
Despite the conviction, Lenz’s remains have not been located. The family continues to hope for discovery, believing that finding her body would bring “ultimate closure.” In the meantime, they find comfort in mementos such as handwritten notes and the newly uncovered guitar recording.
Faith and resilience
The Baumgart family’s faith has been a cornerstone of their perseverance. “While the conviction has brought some closure, the family’s faith and memories of Lenz continue to bring them peace and ensure her legacy lives on for generations,” the article notes. Granddaughter Zoe Baumgart reflected, “She was always there to uplift people, and I just feel like I see myself in her.”
Ella Baumgart, another granddaughter, expressed the personal impact of the loss: “I never got to grow up and know my grandma because he took that away from me.” The family’s annual tribute serves both as a remembrance and as a public affirmation of their commitment to stand against domestic violence.
Community response
Local residents have expressed support for the Baumgart family, noting the importance of remembering victims of violent crime and the need for continued vigilance in protecting families. The ceremony has become a quiet yet powerful reminder of the lasting effects of such tragedies on small‑town communities.
As the Baumgart family continues to honor Barbara Lenz, they also advocate for stronger resources to prevent domestic abuse, hoping that their personal story will inspire broader community action and legislative attention.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
