Max Baer

Max Robert Baer, age 85, of Dairyland, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, at the residence of his eldest daughter in Spooner, Wisconsin. Max was born on December 29, 1928, in Frederic, WI, to Walter and Katherine E. (Graves) Baer. He attended Carpenter School until 8th grade and later received his GED as well as some college. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from January 12, 1951 and was honorably discharged on January 11, 1954. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal (KSM) with 3 Bronze Service Stars (BCS), United Nations Service Medal (UNSM), and the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM). In 1957, Max married Deanna Kilgas; they were later divorced. Max’s life was filled with ingenuity and hard work. He began his career at age 6 when he took a job peeling pulpwood for a neighbor. He continued working on his family farm until age 18. He then left home and found work as a “bubble boy” on the railroad. He rode the rails to Montana and took a job at a cattle ranch. He also spent a brief time in Alaska and worked at a sawmill. In 1951, Max joined the army and served during the Korean War as a jeep driver and tank mechanic. After his military service he worked as a tree trimmer in Eastern Wisconsin, where he married Deanna Kilgas, the mother of his children. Max and his wife returned to Dairyland where he bought his father’s dairy farm. When his third child was born he decided he needed more money than a small dairy farm in Northern Wisconsin could provide. So he sold the dairy cows and acquired a job as a welder and later became welding foreman at Fraser Shipyards in Superior, WI, from 1964 - 1991. During several layoffs at Frasers he supplemented his income by cutting pulpwood, driving school bus for the Webster School District, and also raising, breeding, and selling purebred Charolais Cattle, which was his passion. Max was proud of all his children and treated them as individuals, catering to their interests and talents. He is quoted as saying, “If I die, I have 4 great kids, and I’m good with that.” Max enjoyed his retirement by traveling to Florida, Arizona, and Alaska. He also enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Max is survived by his former wife, Deanna (Kilgas) Baer, four children: Kathy (Don) Foster of Spooner, Karl (Tammy) Baer of Dairyland, Wendy (Paul) Weber of Stratford, and Max II (Isabel) Baer of Germany; thirteen grandchildren: Christy (Mike) Skov, Andrew (Angela) Foster, Jesika (Brian) Zimmerman, Nathan (Michelle) Foster, Rebeka Foster, Allyssa Foster, Casandra Baer, Beth (David) Steinbarger, Joshua Baer, Tralese Weber, Sauvell Weber, Melissa Baer, and Phillip Baer; and four great grandchildren: Maverick, Waylen, Broden, and Mattie; one sister, Irma (Wilbur) Last of Nebraska; and nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Milton Baer. The funeral service for Max Baer will be conducted on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 1:00 pm (visitation 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm) at the Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, WI, with Pastor Ben Drown officiating, assisted by Rick Gustafson. Interment with full military honors will follow at River Hill Cemetery, Dairyland, WI. A fellowship luncheon is planned at the Dairyland Town Hall. Casket bearers are: Joshua Baer, Andrew Foster, Nathan Foster, Jesika Zimmerman, Allyssa Foster, and Paul Weber. Honorary bearers are: Christy Skov, Rebeka Foster, Casandra Baer, Beth Steinberger, Tralese Weber, Sauvell Weber, Melissa Baer, and Phillip Baer. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Homes & Cremation Services of Webster - Siren - Grantsburg. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com. The Max Baer family would like to express sincere gratitude to Lakeview Medical Center Hospice Services of Rice Lake WI for their care and compassion during Max’s illness.