Wayne Allen Baker

Wayne Allen Baker, age 87, of Benson, MN., died Friday, November 25, 2022, at his daughter’s home in Oronoco, MN. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, December 16, 2022, at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson. Visitation will continue from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by a celebration of his life service at 11:00 a.m. on his birthday, Saturday, December 17, 2022, at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson. Interment will be in the Benson City Cemetery. Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home. www.zniewskifuneralhome.com

Wayne was born December 17, 1934, in Scotland, SD to Stanley and Martha Baker.  He graduated from Scotland High School in 1952.  He attended Southern State Teachers College at Springfield, SD, and excelled in football, basketball, and track. His first teaching job was at Bonesteel, SD.  After a year of teaching, he was drafted into the Army.

On March 1 ^st , 1957, he married Jacque Morris in Scotland, SD and moved to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. military base.  In December 1957, they returned to South Dakota with their daughter, Lynn. A son, Lee was born in 1959. Wayne taught a year in Avon, SD, then accepted a position to teach and coach at Delmont, SD.

In 1963, Wayne and Jacque moved to Benson, MN where he taught English, Driver’s Education and coached for 31 years. He also spent many hours running the clock for sporting events and scouting for coaches. Wayne loved to travel, play pool, golf, fish, hunt, watch birds, and listen to country western music.  His favorite sports to watch were golf, football, and baseball.  Nothing was more important to him than family.

He is survived by one daughter, Lynn (and Steve) McNamara, of Oronoco, MN; one son, Lee (and Linda) Baker of Maple Grove, MN; five grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren; sister Laverne and brother Ron.  He is preceded in death by his wife Jacque, parents Stanley and Martha, brother Donald, sister JoAnne, sister-in-law Joyce Baker, brother-in-law Don and brother-in-law Kenny.