Norman Lloyd Baker

Norman L. Baker. Age 83, of Willmar, passed away Sunday morning, March 6, at Carris Health Rice Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 15, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Willmar.  Interment with military honors will be at Fairview Cemetery in Willmar.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Norman Lloyd Baker was born on November 12, 1938, in Brooten, Minnesota, the son of Frank and Clara (Anderson) Baker.  He grew up near Swift Falls, attended country school and graduated from Benson High School in 1956.  On April 27, 1957, Norman was united in marriage to Patricia Jane Puchalski and they made their home in Willmar.  He had various jobs in the fields of fabrication, welding, trucking, auto body, aviation, sales and a self-owned business.  His hobbies included the love of planes, flying, animals, bird watching and toy collecting.  He was a very talented and creative woodworker, carving and painting tractors, trucks and planes to make them look like cast iron.  He was very well known for his conservative opinion articles to the editor of the West Central Tribune.  Norman cherished his family and loved seeing his grandchildren. He also enjoyed visiting with people,  joking around and laughing with his care givers at Bethesda.

He is survived by his loving wife of over 65 years, Patricia; four children, Robin (and Janice) Baker, Ronald Baker, Timothy Baker and Melanie Garberich (and special friend, Gaylin Anderson), all of Willmar; two grandchildren, Jason (and Christina) Baker and Taylor (and Tyler) Henkelman and five great grandchildren, Lita, Kolby, Chase, Desirae and Tristan, besides other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter at birth, Becky Lynn Baker; one great granddaughter, Katelyn Baker and three brothers, Gene, Gary and Duane Baker.