Jerrold "Jerry" W. Baker

Jerrold William "Jerry" Baker, 85, of Willmar, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at CentraCare Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar with his family by his side.

His memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 12, at Vinje Lutheran Church, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Cloverleaf Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Vinje Lutheran Church or Water’s Edge Ministries (formerly Green Lake Lutheran Ministries).   A livestream of Jerry's service will be available on the church's YouTube page.

Jerry was born September 22, 1940, on the family farm near Braham, Minnesota, to Herbert and Delia (Westerlund) Baker. He attended elementary school in Braham and graduated from Braham High School in 1958. While in high school, Jerry was active in football, basketball, baseball, and track.  He also sang in the choir, and played trumpet in the band.

Following high school, Jerry attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis and graduated in 1962 with a degree in business and accounting. While at Augsburg, he met Shirley Hoekstra, and they were married in 1960. After graduation, Jerry taught accounting in Mabel and Detroit Lakes, MN while earning his master's degree from St. Cloud State University. While living in Detroit Lakes, Jerry and Shirley adopted their daughter, Renee. They later moved to Willmar and adopted another daughter, Julie.

Jerry taught accounting and served as chair of the accounting department at the Willmar Area Vocational and Technical Institute(now Ridgewater College) for 28 years. He also helped coach basketball and was a coach for the 1972 men’s team that won the state championship.

Jerry later earned his CPA certification and owned and operated an accounting firm, Ronning & Baker, with Bea Ronning for 25 years. He also served as financial officer for the Presbyterian Family Foundation for 41 years.

Shirley passed away in 1981. Jerry later met Vicki Johnson, and they were married in 1982. They shared 33 years of marriage and raised Renee and Julie in Willmar. Vicki passed away in 2015. Jerry later married Rosie Ericson, and they made their home on the north shore of Eagle Lake.

Jerry was a lifelong member of Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar. He was an avid runner who participated in many races, including many marathons and triathlons. He also enjoyed playing tennis and racquetball, biking, watching college basketball, and listening to Gopher football games on the radio. Jerry enjoyed keeping his cars spotless, listening to music, reading, working in his yard, playing cribbage with Rosie, and spending time with family and friends. He was especially proud of his children and grandchildren and always made time to attend their activities and events.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Rosie Ericson; his daughters, Renee (Brian) Gilbertson and Julie (Dan) Tollefson; and his grandchildren, Erin Gilbertson (Mark Richard), Jeremy Gilbertson (Bri Jol), Trey Tollefson, Bronwyn Tollefson, and Rian Tollefson. He is also survived by Rosie's children and their families, along with many nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, Shirley Baker and Vicki Baker; his sister, Betty Stern; his brother, Jim Baker; and his son-in-law, Marty Schriner.

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