Clair Leslie Baker age 90 of Walnut Grove passed away Thursday, September 28, 2017 at Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday October 3 at United Methodist Church in Walnut Grove. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Monday at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home with a Masonic Service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Clair Leslie Baker was born July 15, 1927 to Wilbur and Bernice (Dibble) Baker in Tracy, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. Clair graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1945. He enlisted in the US Navy March 22, 1946 as a Pharmacist Mate. He was honorably discharged on January 21, 1948 and returned to rural Tracy to farm. On February 14, 1949 Clair married Betty Mattson at Sillerud Lutheran Church in rural Balaton, Minnesota. Clair farmed and raised livestock his whole life. He sang in the Marshall Men’s Chorus for 40 years. Clair took 4th graders to the Shrine Circus for over 30 years. He served on many boards in the community throughout his life. Clair enjoyed traveling, harvest season, gardening and he loved to sing.
Clair is survived by his children: Barb (Don) Bredthauer of Omaha, NE and Brent (Deb) Baker of Milbank, SD; daughter-in-law Nancy Baker of Walnut Grove; grandchildren: Todd (Micara) Baker of New Market, MN, Ryan (Marissa) Baker of Walnut Grove, Trent (Kristy) Baker of Walnut Grove, Tadd Kelly (Brad) of Minneapolis, Amanda (Jason) Vande Brake of Los Angeles, CA, Carissa (Cory) Rasmussen of Nashville, TN, Daniel (Crystal) Baker of Rock Valley, IA; great-grandchildren: Sophie, Eva, Grant, Nolan, Lauren, Bennett, Carson, Briggs, Keaton, Caleb, Maxwell, Lincoln, Baker & Beau; brother Donn (Cleo) Baker of Walnut Grove; sister-in-law Ellen Mattson of Tracy; brother-in-law Curt (Muriel) Reinert of Tracy and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Betty and sons Bruce and Brian Baker.