1921
Donald
2020
Donald Otto Baker
February 23, 1921 — January 22, 2020
Donald Otto Baker, 98 years plus 11 months old, passed away Wednesday January 22, 2020 at his farm home in New Haven Township, Olmsted County.
Donald was the oldest son of Otto and Elizabeth (Teske) Baker, born on February 23rd, 1921 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. He attended country school in New Haven Township while helping on the family farm. He married childhood sweetheart Katherine (Kate) Ida Burdick on April 17, 1942.
Donald was a World War II Veteran. He entered the Army Air Force through the draft in October of 1942. Basic Training took place in Texas and then again in Missouri when the Army and Air Force split. After basic training he traveled to North Carolina and New York where Kate joined him. He joined the Army Medical Corps as Sgt. Baker and received orders to join the war front. He was deployed to Naples, Italy, marching to the troop ship on December 24th, 1944. While serving as a medic in the 10th Mountain Division he received a citation and a bronze star for this unselfish service.
Donald was a kind and gentle man who served his community as well as his country. He served on the New Haven Town Board from 1955 to 1973, often taking his turn as chairman. He was a life member of the Pine Island Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Oronoco. He was serving as Commander of the VFW Post 9647 at the time of his death. Donald especially enjoyed talking to Mr. Dickie's Pine Island Middle School class about his World War II experiences. Donald was always willing to share his time, talent, and resources with any friend, neighbor, or stranger who was in need.
Donald was a full time dairy and crop farmer who also had employment off the farm. He worked for Lueck Implement in Pine Island from 1963 to 1973 and Mayo Clinic from 1975 to 1986.
Preceding Donald in death were his parents, beloved wife Kate who passed away in 2012, sons in law Caryl Carney, Donald Atkinson, David Stoddard, and sister in law Nora Baker.
He will be remembered as the best dad and granddad ever. He was loved by many and will be missed by all.
Donald is survived by his daughters Betsy Carney and Mary Stoddard, grandchildren Christopher Carney, David Carney, JoLeen (Arick) Hammon, and Jennifer (Jeremy) Posey, 10 great grandchildren, and 10 great great grandchildren. Also surviving Donald is his brother, Raymond Baker of Pine Island.
Arrangements are being provided by Mahn Family Funeral Homes, Box 117, Pine Island, MN 55963.
Services will be at Saint Paul Lutheran Church, 214 3rd St SW in Pine Island, Minnesota on Wednesday January 29th at 11:00 am. Visitation will take place at Mahn Family Funeral Homes, 209 1st Avenue NW, Pine Island, Minnesota on Tuesday January 28th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and at the church 1 hour prior to the service.
Burial will be in Pine Island Cemetery.
Blessed be his memory.
209 NW 1st Ave. P.O. Box 117
Pine Island, MN, 55963
Pine Island, MN, 55963
Pine Island, MN, 55963
Donald was the oldest son of Otto and Elizabeth (Teske) Baker, born on February 23rd, 1921 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. He attended country school in New Haven Township while helping on the family farm. He married childhood sweetheart Katherine (Kate) Ida Burdick on April 17, 1942.
Donald was a World War II Veteran. He entered the Army Air Force through the draft in October of 1942. Basic Training took place in Texas and then again in Missouri when the Army and Air Force split. After basic training he traveled to North Carolina and New York where Kate joined him. He joined the Army Medical Corps as Sgt. Baker and received orders to join the war front. He was deployed to Naples, Italy, marching to the troop ship on December 24th, 1944. While serving as a medic in the 10th Mountain Division he received a citation and a bronze star for this unselfish service.
Donald was a kind and gentle man who served his community as well as his country. He served on the New Haven Town Board from 1955 to 1973, often taking his turn as chairman. He was a life member of the Pine Island Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Oronoco. He was serving as Commander of the VFW Post 9647 at the time of his death. Donald especially enjoyed talking to Mr. Dickie's Pine Island Middle School class about his World War II experiences. Donald was always willing to share his time, talent, and resources with any friend, neighbor, or stranger who was in need.
Donald was a full time dairy and crop farmer who also had employment off the farm. He worked for Lueck Implement in Pine Island from 1963 to 1973 and Mayo Clinic from 1975 to 1986.
Preceding Donald in death were his parents, beloved wife Kate who passed away in 2012, sons in law Caryl Carney, Donald Atkinson, David Stoddard, and sister in law Nora Baker.
He will be remembered as the best dad and granddad ever. He was loved by many and will be missed by all.
Donald is survived by his daughters Betsy Carney and Mary Stoddard, grandchildren Christopher Carney, David Carney, JoLeen (Arick) Hammon, and Jennifer (Jeremy) Posey, 10 great grandchildren, and 10 great great grandchildren. Also surviving Donald is his brother, Raymond Baker of Pine Island.
Arrangements are being provided by Mahn Family Funeral Homes, Box 117, Pine Island, MN 55963.
Services will be at Saint Paul Lutheran Church, 214 3rd St SW in Pine Island, Minnesota on Wednesday January 29th at 11:00 am. Visitation will take place at Mahn Family Funeral Homes, 209 1st Avenue NW, Pine Island, Minnesota on Tuesday January 28th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and at the church 1 hour prior to the service.
Burial will be in Pine Island Cemetery.
Blessed be his memory.
Visitation
JAN 28. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CST)
Mahn Family Funeral Home, Mahler Chapel209 NW 1st Ave. P.O. Box 117
Pine Island, MN, 55963
Visitation
JAN 29. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CST)
Saint Paul Lutheran ChurchPine Island, MN, 55963
Funeral Service
JAN 29. 11:00 AM (CST)
Saint Paul Lutheran ChurchPine Island, MN, 55963
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Otto Baker, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Photo Gallery
Visits: 3
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors