Gene R. Baer

Gene R. Baer, age 95 of Mankato, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

A Celebration of Gene’s Life will be Monday, February 24, 2025 at 1 P.M. at Hosanna Lutheran Church (Small Chapel) in Mankato, with Rev. Dennis Heiden officiating. Interment with military honors will be held at a later date.

The Baer Family will greet friends on Monday afternoon for one hour prior to services at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred. Arrangements by Woodland Hills Funeral Home of Mankato. www.woodlandhillsfh.com

Gene was born in Tyler, MN on June 15, 1929 to Frederick and Augusta Baer. He grew up in St. Clair, MN where he also attended school. He went into the United States Army at the young age of 17 where he served from 1946 to 1948. He was blessed to come back home and run a small café in St. Clair and then found the love of his life Bonnie Jean McGill. They were united in marriage on October 10, 1955. They raised 6 children together. Living in many small towns, Gene enjoyed remodeling and fixing up homes through some of those years. He also found his lifelong career of selling insurance for Banker’s Life and Casualty Company for 40 years. Even after retirement, he enjoyed staying in touch with his clients and assisting them with whatever they needed. After retirement, he and Bonnie enjoyed traveling and spending each day together for almost 70 years. He also enjoyed playing cards throughout the years with many friends and his passion was winning at 500! He kept their marriage and faith strong and fierce together until the very end.

He is now reunited with his Parents, two Brothers, Daughter Julie and Son Billy. He was a devoted Son, Husband, Father and Grandfather. He will never be forgotten by the lives that he touched throughout his 95 years on this earth.

He is survived by his wife Bonnie, Sister Marlene VanCleave, Daughter Lisa Scripture, Son Craig Baer, Daughter Jenny Baer (Nancy), and Daughter Emily Hanson (Patrick) and 9 Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren.