Gerrit Baker

On Sunday, May 8, 2022, Gerrit John Baker, loving husband and father of two children, passed away surrounded by his family, at age 88.

Gerrit was born on June 28, 1933 in Alvord, Iowa to Lewis and Alice Baker. He served as a tank technician during the Korean war and on his first leave he married Evelyn Benson Baker, on October 1, 1954. He and Evelyn then went to Austria where he was stationed until the end of his service. On his return home, he farmed near Valley Springs, SD, until taking on a job with IBP in Luverne, MN, where he worked for many years while he and Evelyn lived in Valley Springs and raised their son and daughter, Les and Jolene.

In 1975 he moved to Alexandria, MN to fulfill a dream that he had with his father, to own and operate a lake resort. Which he did with his wife and support of his family on the shores of Lake Little Darling, until 2005 when he sold the cabins into an association. During the winters, he and Evelyn traveled to various locations in the southern United States, until settling in and purchasing a home in Venice Beach, Florida. As a lover of sports, Gerrit stayed active each winter golfing every day, bowling, and even playing softball, while gaining countless friends over the many years he and Evelyn enjoyed in the Venice Beach community. They then moved permanently back to Wheaton, MN in May of 2021.

Gerrit was known as a man who could tell a good story, and who liked to hear a good story. He was strong in mind, body, and spirit. He was an avid collector of baseball cards, and diehard fan of the Twins. Over his lifetime, he showed his skills as a handyman building, renovating, and maintaining cabins on the resort, as well as, right alongside his son Les, building a home for Les’s family. His favorite times were spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially telling stories and playing games. He had a quick wit, and rarely lacked a sparkle in his eye. For his family, he was a haven in a storm.

Gerrit was preceded in death by his father, Lewis, his mother, Alice, sister, Jeannie, brother-in-law Ken and brother-in-law Ben.

Gerrit is survived by his wife Evelyn of sixty-seven years, his two children, Les (Pam) and Jolene (Jim), his sisters Gertie Ann (Andrew) and Carol (Fred), his three Grandsons, Keith (Becky), Jon (Mandy), and Joshua (Fiancé Victoria), and five great-grandchildren, Sophie, Evelyn, Lucy, Bennett, and Asher.

A Private Memorial Service will be held on Monday, May 16th, 2022 in Alexandria, MN.

Flowers or memorial donations may be sent to Bainbridge Funeral Home 106 N 10th Street Wheaton MN 56296.