Frank E. Baer

Frank E. Baer, age 80, passed away Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at home. Frank was born in Nokay Lake, MN, June 8, 1937, son of the late Vernon and Lillie (Nee: Gleason) Baer.

Frank was a graduate of William Horlick High School “Class of 1956”. He served in the United States Army from 1957-60. On January 7, 1961 at St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church in Milwaukee he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Barbara Pettavino. At the onset of his career Frank was a cement worker until 1962 and then was employed by S.C. Johnson & Son (Waxdale), working as a mechanic, millwright, and welder, retiring on June 21, 1997. Frank was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. He was a former member of St. Rose, St. Lucy and St. Patrick Catholic Churches. He volunteered for Toys for Tots and Goodwill and had a long history of helping others build, create, or repair almost anything. An avid hunter and fisherman, Frank also enjoyed trap shooting. He was devoted and loving to his family and more than anything cherished time spent with them, especially camping in state parks.

He will be dearly missed by his loving wife of fifty-six years and eight months, Barbara; his daughter, Deborah (James) Fix and their children, Kevin (Laura) Fix and daughter Emily, Christopher (Carrie) Fix and son, Alexander; Andrew, Jessica, and Matthew Fix; his son, Michael (Connie) Baer and their children, Kaitlyn (fiancé, Travis Gano), Steven (Kira Ibarra) and son Lucas on the way, Samuel and son, Levi, Joseph; his son, John Baer; sisters, Eleanor Ball, Joan Knautz, Janet Baril, Carol (Jeff) Preston; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son, Daniel Baer on January 4, 1998; brothers, George, Raymond, Clarence, Donald; and sisters, Florence, Rosemary, Dorothy, and Barbara.

Relatives and friends may meet with the family Tuesday, September 12, 2017, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring Street, from 9:30 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. William Dietzler officiating. Interment with Full Military Honors will be held at Holy Family Cemetery, Caledonia. Memorials to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church or to one’s favorite charity have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Mark DeCheck for his exceptional care over the past thirty plus years. Also, a special thank you to Dr. James Tierney, Dr. Pankaj Dhingra, Dr. Joel Niebuhr, and the ER staff at Ascension All Saints Medical Center for their loving and compassionate care.