Donald Baker

Donald Baker, 94, of Wahpeton, passed away peacefully under the care of CHI Hospice on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the Leach Home in Wahpeton, North Dakota. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 16th at 11:00 AM, with a visitation beginning at 9:30 AM, at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home in Wahpeton, ND. Burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery in Fergus Falls, MN, at 2:00 PM.

Donald W. Baker was born on October 2, 1931, to Walter and Louise (Max) Baker in Meadows Township, Rural Breckenridge, MN, where he grew up and attended school.

He farmed with his father until enlisting in the U.S. Air Force, beginning his service on February 1, 1954, serving in the 95th Bomb Wing of the Strategic Air Command at El Paso, TX, and Quam. He was honorably discharged on October 31, 1957.

Don married, and that union was blessed with 3 children.

He worked several jobs in the Fergus Falls, MN area and later attended North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton and graduated with honors with an Environmental Systems Cooling and Heating Equipment Certificate. He later opened his own heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration business.

In 1979, Don and Alice (Gustman) Medenwaldt were married and made Wahpeton their home. He worked for Texgas and Suburban Propane, retiring as manager of the Wahpeton Plant in 1992.

After retirement, he and Alice enjoyed their Silver Lake cabin and spending time in the Battle Lake, MN area. Don enjoyed country and old-time music, playing guitar and playing with his brother Ken’s band for several years. He was an avid fisherman and loved deer hunting with his son, Dean.

He was a member of the Wahpeton United Church of Christ, a golden member of the Fergus Falls #2339 Eagles Club, and a life member of Breckenridge VFW #2766.

Don will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Alice; son, Dean (Nancy) Baker; daughters, Cindy (Scott) Rhoades and Julie (John Kruize) Springer; grandchildren, Alecia (Erik) LeRoy, Derric Anderson, Nathan (Tina) Anderson, and Kacey (Grecia) Anderson; several great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Pat Baker; and special nieces and nephews.

He was preceded by his parents and brother, Kenneth Baker.

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