Lawrence "Larry" Wayne Baker, 75, of Sturgis, SD, died Thursday, December 1, 2022, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Lawrence "Larry" Baker was a devoted husband and a loving father. He was a kind and generous person, who provided for his community and his family in countless ways. He was a member of the National Guard for six years; he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Elks Club, and the American Legion; he was also a volunteer fireman for 25 years and operated his own custom haygrinding business for 46 years. He married Maureen Grebner-Herbst on October 12, 1968, and together they raised four children: Daniel (Shanda) Baker, Denise (Rex) Ryckman, Cindy (John) Spelbring, and Neil (Christine) Baker. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Throughout his life, Larry was an avid outdoorsman, marksman, and loved traveling with his family. Larry never missed an opportunity to impart his own sense of humor, and he was reliable in innumerable ways throughout his life. He was a beacon in dark times and was always steadfast in uncertain times.

Larry is preceded in death by his mother and father Arnold and Edna, his sister Debbie, his mother-in-law Katherine Herbst-Kelley, his father-in-law Al Herbst, his granddaughter Amanda Baker, his brothers-in-law, Raymond Smith, and Joel Herbst, and Leroy, his favorite cat, whom Larry trained to wipe his feet.

Memorial Mass will be 10:00 a.m. on December 6, 2022, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis.

Inurnment will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery.

Memorial has been established to the American Cancer Society.

Click on the link to view service folder