Wayne Baer, 63, Richardton, died on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at his home with family by his side. Wayne’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m., Friday, February 10, 2023 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Richardton with Fr. Thomas Wordekemper, OSB as celebrant. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Richardton. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday at Ladbury Funeral Service with a rosary and vigil at 6 p.m. with Deacon Robert Bohn presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.
Wayne was born on April 12, 1959, the 4th of 11 children to Paul and Loretta (Friedt) Baer. Wayne was a lifetime resident of Richardton. He grew up south of Richardton on the Baer family farm. Wayne then moved to town in 1977. He worked for some time at Richardton Farm Equipment, then Richardton Manufacturing. From there he started his lifetime career at the Stark County Road Department. He was there for 44 years and was the crew leader. He remained with Stark County until his death.
He married the love of his life Delores Morel on July 7, 1978. To this union his pride and joy Michael was born. Michael brought so much joy to Wayne’s life.
Wayne served on the Richardton Fire Department for 31 years and served as assistant fire chief during some of those 31 years. He was also a member of the Richardton Park Board for a number of years.
Wayne loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and shed hunting. In 2013, Wayne and Delores bought the Baer family homestead. He loved spending his free time on the farmstead gardening and taking care of his animals, especially his cats. He loved growing vegetables and had beautiful flower gardens. Wayne also had a passion for traveling and sharing those adventures with his family. He especially enjoyed the trips to Jackson Hole and the trip to the Oregon coast to fulfill his promise to take his family deep sea fishing.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 44 years Delores; son, Michael and his wife Mackenzie; siblings, Deb Baer, Branford, CT, Keith (Sandy) Baer, Dickinson, Dennis (Rita) Baer, Richardton, Ken (Kathy) Baer, Garrison, Tom Baer, Whitewood, SD, Jerilyn (Russ) Myran, Taylor, Lisa (Bodee) Wilson, Jackson, WY, Pete Baer, Kurtistown, HI, Ron (Jodi) Baer, Dickinson, and Lori Baer, Dayton, OH; in-laws, Karen (Jim) Leintz, Gladstone, Lee Morel, Othello, WA, Jeff Morel, Gladstone, and Tim Morel, Dickinson; numerous nieces and nephews.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Loretta Baer; parents-in-law, Frank J. and Regina Morel; and nephew Paul Myran.
