Warren Baker

Warren Edward Baker was born on January 24, 1946, at Rock Rapids Community Hospital in Rock Rapids, Iowa, to Edward and Verla (Aukes) Baker. He grew up on a farm near the Minnesota-Iowa border and was the oldest of five children: Gerhart, Debra, Bernita, and Vern. Warren attended District No. 1 country school and later graduated from Hills High School in Hills, Minnesota, with the Class of 1964. While attending school, he met the love of his life, Loretta K. Olson. In December 1965, Warren was drafted into the United States Army and proudly served his country for two years, including time in Vietnam. Although he rarely spoke about his military service, his family always knew how proud he was to have served and how deeply he loved his country. On November 3, 1967, Warren and Loretta Olson were united in marriage at First Lutheran Church in Valley Springs, South Dakota. Following their marriage, they made their home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota before purchasing a farm near Steen, Minnesota, in the spring of 1968. Together, they were blessed with four children: Beth, Randy, Dean, and Londa. Warren and Loretta worked side by side in all the years of their marriage, milking cows and grain farming. In 1973, tragedy struck when a fire destroyed their dairy barn. Undeterred, Warren continued farming, raising cattle and hogs while also engaging in tiling, road building, and earthmoving work. Farming was not only his livelihood but also his passion. Warren and Loretta lived on the farm for 41 years before moving to a small acreage on the edge of Luverne, Minnesota in 2009. In 2023, Warren became a resident of The Oaks assisted living and later moved to the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne in March 2024 where on Monday, June 15, 2026, he died at the age of 80 years, 4 months, and 22 days.

Warren dearly loved his family. He was devoted to his wife, proud of his children, and especially treasured his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His children remember him as an ornery man with a strong work ethic and high expectations, who taught them the value of hard work and always took pride in their accomplishments. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, attending community events, and welcoming visitors into his home for coffee and a treat. Throughout much of his life, Warren faced significant health challenges. Diagnosed at a young age with polycystic kidney disease, he eventually required dialysis treatments three days a week in Sioux Falls. Despite these difficulties, he continued to work hard, stay active, and enjoy the people around him. On June 3, 2019 Warren’s wife, Loretta, went home to be with the Lord. Warren was a faithful member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne.

Grateful for having shared his life are his four children, 16 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren: Beth (Keith) Herman and their children Mara (Skyler) Eriksen and their children Lillie, Leo, and Lila, Leah (Willem) Engelbrecht and their child Kaylem, Sara (Joshua) Garry and their child Eden, Keanu Herman, Sadie Herman; Randy (Janie) Baker and their children Emma (fiancé Nathan Overgaard) Baker, Cole Baker, Kelsey Baker; Dean (Tracy) Baker and their children Paige (Jonathan) Stearns and their children Lennon and Hayes, Riley Baker, Hunter Baker, Hannah (fiancé Carter Schmidt) Baker, Kaisen Baker; and Londa (Rick) Krueger and their children Tyla Krueger, Levi Krueger, and Nora Krueger. He is also survived by his siblings: Gerhart (Marsha) Baker of Owasso, Oklahoma; Debra (Darrell) Petersen of Willmar, Minnesota; Bernita (Richard) Hup of Litchfield, Minnesota; and brother-in-law Doug (Ellen) Olson of Beaver Creek, Minnesota. Warren was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Loretta Baker; his parents, Edward and Verla Baker; and his brother, Vern Baker.

The words of James 5:7-8 reflect the faith and patience that characterized Warren’s life: “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”