Funeral services were held for Maurice "Morey" Baker on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in New York Mills, Minnesota, with Pastor John Krueger officiating. The music was provided by Pastor John Krueger & Geraldine Dresser, accompanied by Lina Belar. The pallbearers were Wesley Pernula, Rex Stoutenburg, Keith Pajari, Steve Steinbach, Rodney Rasmussen, Duane "Bud" Frost, Rick Eden and Dale Jokela. Honorary pallbearers were Melvin McGowan, Kenny Friese, Gary Peterson, Jeanne Gerber, Lorraine Pusc, Jim Steinbach, LeRoy Nelson, Michael Warren, Braeden Peterson and Jacob Warren. Military honors were provided by the Charles D. Center V.F.W. Post #3289 of New York Mills, Minnesota. Morey will be laid to rest in St. Peter's Cemetery in New York Mills, Minnesota.
Maurice "Morey" George Baker Jr. was born on June 23, 1938, at home in rural Verndale, Minnesota, the fifth child of eight born to Maurice and Erma (Davis) Baker. Morey graduated from Verndale High School in 1956. After graduation, he worked at the Hitchcock Foundry in Minneapolis and attended Northwest Technical School for electronics. After graduation from NTS, he worked at UNIVAC in Minneapolis. For a short time, Morey also sold stocks for Hubert H. Humphrey, and they had lunch together a time or two. In 1962, Morey opened up Morey's TV, a television sales and repair business. During this time, Morey served in the Minnesota National Guard, did some farming on the Baker family farm in Verndale, operated Baker's Tamarack Acres in the 70's and 80's as a logger, and worked for the New York Mills school from 1962 until the mid-80's as a bus driver-with several riders providing fodder for the many stories that he was known to tell! Morey was united in marriage to Barbara Evelyn Oman on October 9, 1956, at her father's farm in New York Mills. Together they raised four children, Polly, Missy, Rich and Jason, in addition to having his nephew, the late Ralph Dougherty, live with them while he attended his senior year in New York Mills. Rick Eden also lived with the family for many years while attending high school and college. Morey sold the TV business after 18 years and briefly worked as a mail carrier and insurance salesman before becoming a driver for Lund Boats. Morey drove for Lund's for 18 years before retiring in 1999 after heart bypass. Morey then worked part-time as a driver for Mid-State Auto Auction until 2005. Morey had many interests and hobbies throughout the years, from collecting antique cars and radios to bird watching and most especially, fishing. In his younger days, he did two stints as a baseball manager for the New York Mills Millers and played softball with the St. Peter's Saints. Morey was also very active and a dedicated member of the Masons and Shriners throughout the years. While Morey will be mostly remembered for his many hilarious stories-true and untrue- and his quick wit, many also knew him to be a very kindhearted and generous man who truly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. On Friday, July 13, 2007, Morey passed away of complications from heart and kidney disease at the Elders' Home in New York Mills, Minnesota at 69 years of age. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Preceding Morey in death were his father, mother, brother John Baker, brother-in-law Melton Dougherty and nephew Ralph Dougherty.
Morey is survived by his wife, Barbara Baker of New York Mills; daughters: Paula (Gary) Peterson of Ottertail & Melissa (Michael) Warren of Bloomington, Illinois; sons: Richard Baker of New York Mills & Jason Baker of New York Mills; grandchildren: Jessica Peterson of Fargo, North Dakota; Samantha & Jacob Warren of Bloomington, Illinois; and Braeden Peterson of Ottertail; brothers: Roger (Floy) Baker of Whitefish, Montana and James (Sandy) Baker of Deer Creek; sisters: Shirley (Ernie) Grewe of Verndale; LaDelle (Charles) Neal of Staples; Mary (Robert) Froehlich of Champlin; and Lola (Larry) Larson of Sea View, Washington; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and a host of friends.
Arrangements were provided by the Karvonen & Son Funeral Home in New York Mills, Minnesota.
