Mary Jo Baer, 63, of Beresford, South Dakota passed away peacefully into the arms of our Savior, Jesus, on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.
Memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vermillion, SD with Pastor James Fowler officiating. Visitation will be an hour prior to the service at the church.
She was born on February 16, 1960 to Harley and Grace (Behnke) Dunkel in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where she was also raised. Mary attended Aberdeen Central High School and later received her certificate as a surgery tech in Dallas, TX and worked there and in Manhattan, KS during her career until she was no longer able to work due to issues related to Marfan syndrome. She married Wayne Baldwin in Manhattan in 1985 and become the very proud stepmother to Greg Baldwin.
Mary moved to Sioux Falls, SD and married her beloved husband, Dwayne Dewey Baer on October 4, 2008. She worked for Childrens Home Society in Sioux Falls, and when she could no longer work due to her health issues, volunteered her time and worked whenever she could. They moved to rural Vermillion, SD in 2010 where Dewey had built their home and where they resided for the 14 years of their earthly time together. Mary was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Vermillion and volunteered for many years for the churchs food bank and participated in Bible studies, baptism orientation and childrens activities.
Mary enjoyed all that the farm offered, including an ever-expanding garden, cooking, and taking care of the dogs, Smokey and Shadow. She loved to read and to keep up to date on their granddaughters activities. Grandchildren, Ava and Joey spent parts of their summers at the farm and were her greatest pleasures.
Mary is remembered for her ability to bounce back from one more bump in the road, her optimism, her amazing chocolate chip cookies, and her love of family.
She was preceded in death by her parents and nephew, Chad Wellman.
She is survived by her loving husband, Dewey; mother-in-law, Mary M Baer; son Greg (Erin) Baldwin; granddaughters, Ava and Josephine; sisters Pat (Scott) Carter, Carol (Kevin) Robertson, Terry (Joe) Piatz; brother Jim (Sharon) Dunkel, many loving nieces and nephews, and special friend, Nikki Arrington.
Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, Marfan Foundation or Vermillion Food Pantry.
Kober Funeral Home of Vermillion has been entrusted in this services. Condolences may be posted on line at www.koberfuneralhome.com
Commented