Charles W Baird

Charles Walter Baird, age 89, of North Mankato, died Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at Mankato House Health Care Center.

Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, June 27, 2009 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in North Mankato with Rev. Vance Becker officiating. Private family burial with military honors will be in Sherburn City Cemetery, Sherburn, MN. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Friday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Charles was born on April 3, 1920 in Straubville, ND to Martha Jane Murphy Baird and Charles Tharen Baird. He attended one year of High School and joined the Civil Conservation Corp. at the age of 15. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1939 and proudly served in Company D 63rd Inf. of the 6th Infantry Division in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was united in marriage to Lorraine Mae Johnson on April 1, 1946 in Webster, SD. They lived in Havana, ND, Edgeley, ND, Brampton, ND, Wells, MN, Blue Earth, MN, Valley City, ND, Sherburn, MN and Fairmont, MN. Charles completed four years of body and fender school in Wells and was shop foreman in Sherburn and Fairmont for 25 years. He then moved to North Mankato and worked 13 years for Lloyd Management Companies. In retirement he worked part time for both Lloyd Management and Manske Bus Service. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and a life member of the VFW and American Legion. He enjoyed woodworking and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Lorraine; sons, Harvey (Marie) Baird of Hudson, WI, Richard (Pam) Baird of Eagan; daughters, Lona (Dennis) Larson of Sherburn, and Linda (Mike) Schwager of North Mankato; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother; and eight sisters.