×

Gerald J. Baker

Gerald J. Baker

FAIRMONT — A funeral service for Gerald J. Baker, 77, of Mankato, Minn., formerly of Fairmont, Minn., will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2019, at Lakeview Funeral Home Chapel in Fairmont. Interment will be in Center Creek Cemetery, rural Granada, Minn.

Gerald passed away Wednesday morning, May 15, 2019, at his family’s home in Fairmont. Visitation will be 9:30-10:30 a.m. May 25 at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont.

Gerald Jerome Baker was born Oct. 29, 1941, on the family farm in Pleasant Prairie Township, Minn., the son of James and Irene (Melby) Baker.

On June 18, 1960, Gerald was united in marriage to Connie Willette in Fairmont, Minn. The couple resided in Martin County and the surrounding area. This union was blessed with three daughters, Darci, Pam and Jennifer.

Gerald worked on the family farm as well as a farm hand at various locations. He then became an electrician and worked in Iowa. Gerald also worked setting grave stones and also at a cemetery where he dug graves. Most recently, Gerald worked at Mankato Iron and Metal until a crane accident in 1992.

Gerald was a member of various hunting clubs as a way to share his love of the outdoors. During his free time, he enjoyed hunting for bear and other game, fishing, trapping, and spending time in the woods in northern Minnesota near the Canadian border. Gerald also loved camping with his family, collecting knives and tending to his gardens. He was also known to be quite the shopper and would never turn down a good sale.

Gerald earned the nickname of “Papa Smurf” from his family members. His camping friends came to affectionately refer to him as “Mr. Walmart” as he seemed to have everything anyone ever needed on hand, including batteries and much more.

Left to cherish his memory include his daughters, Pam (Jeff) Wiebe of Fairmont, Minn., Jennifer Baker of Truman, Minn.; son-in-law, Greg Garvick of Sherburn, Minn.; eight grandchildren; seven great-granddaughters; long-time girlfriend, Darlene Melvin and her family of Mankato, Minn.; sister, Betty (Gene) Lehman of Northrop, Minn.; brothers, Jim (Bonnie) Baker of Fairmont, Kenny Baker of Fairmont; many other family and friends.

Along with his parents, James and Irene Baker, Gerald was preceded in death by his daughter, Darci Garvick; grandson, Jessie Garvick; brother, Dave Baker; sister, Marvel Eichoff; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Baker and Mari Baker; and other family members.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]