Kenneth "Ken" Wayne Baker

Kenneth (Ken) Wayne Baker of Buffalo, MN passed away on May 24, 2026, at the age of 88. He was born on August 31, 1937, in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

At the age of 17, he joined the United States Air Force where he proudly served as a Med Tech for 20 years, where he traveled all over the world. He then joined the North Dakota Iron Workers Union and spent the next 20 years working with them. After that he worked at Brown Campbell Steel in Minneapolis until he retired in 2005.

Ken was a jokester and liked to play tricks on people in his younger days. He enjoyed spending time outdoors camping, fishing and hunting. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. At any medical facility, Ken was happy to tell them he was a Med Tech in the Air Force and he knew what they were doing and how they did it back then! He enjoyed telling stories from his time in the Air Force.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard & Velva Baker; daughter, Becky Hunter; brothers, Harold & Charlie Baker; sisters, Earline Crocker, Ann Finch & Geraldine Williams; sister-in-law, Karen Stastny; brother-in-law, Marty Hagel; and grandson, Tyler Baker.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Betty Baker; children, Wes (Nicole) Baker, Keith Baker, Jessica (Jake) Fitch & Tim (Mariessa) Baker; brother, Donnie (Zelinda) Baker; sisters-in-law, Kay Baker, Dorothy Gillock, Rose Wickham & Mary Thompson; brothers-in-law, Bob Heck & Bob (Candice) Stastny; grandchildren, Jennifer, Jodie, Amanda, Haskell, Jacob, Katie, Alison, Hunter & Mackenzie; 15 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Parkview Senior Health and Trinity Hospice for the care and compassion they showed Ken the last few months and especially during his final days. We know he wasn’t always the easiest to work with, but you all did a great job with him. Special thank you to Dr. Larson and Dr. Roeser for all the care throughout the years.

Per his request, Ken will be cremated and his final resting place will be at the foot of his grandson Tyler Baker’s grave at the Elmwood Cemetery in Rockford, MN. The burial will be on Friday June 5, 2026 at 4:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Riverside Park Building at 8220 Elm St in Rockford, MN on Friday June 5, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Family and friends are all welcome to join.