1918
Gordon
2005
Gordon Baxter
May 10, 1918 — May 16, 2005
Gordon E. "Gordy" Baxter was born on May 10, 1918, at home in Lac Qui Parle County (Dawson, MN) Maxwell Township, to parents Orin and Lillian (Darling) Baxter. Gordon was the 13th child of 15 siblings, attending country school through the 8th grade. Following school and before enlisting in the US Army, Gordon met Helen Graumann, his soon to be wife. On December 9, 1942, Gordon entered the US Army serving in Northern France during World War II. He was honorably discharged from the Army on March 31, 1946.
Coming home on furlough, Gordon and Helen were united in marriage on Feb 17, 1944 in Graceville, MN. To this union four children were born, June, Irene, Corinne and Edward. The family made their home west of Graceville where Gordon farmed until 1969. After selling the farm, Gordon and Helen moved into town in Graceville where Gordon worked in the carpentry business for a number of years starting his own Baxter Construction Company with Ray Honkomp. Leroy Baxter, his nephew, was employed by them and eventually purchased the business from them when they decided to retire. Following his retirement, Gordon continued his love of working with wood by building cabinets and working in his shop sharpening saws and doing other woodwork projects.
In his younger years, Gordon enjoyed playing his accordion and playing in a group at barn dances which he and Helen enjoyed tremendously. In his spare time after retirement, Gordon enjoyed fishing and gardening as well as working with wood. He cherished the time he spent with his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and friends. When anyone asked him about his Nationality he always replied, "I am German with just enough Dutch to cover the wood on the bottom of my shoes." He will be truly missed.
Gordon passed away on Monday, May 16, 2005 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, ND, at the age of 87 years and 6 days.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen, one daughter, June; and a son-in-law, Charles and all his brothers and sisters.
Gordon is survived by his children, Irene Linc of Washington, IL; Corinne Zach (Ron Erickson, her husband) of Morris, MN; and Edward (Paula) Baxter of Graceville, MN; grandchildren, Darren (Stacy) Baxter, Tonia Baxter, Chad Baxter, ReNae (Larry) Lechner, Jason (Becky) Linc, Alisa (Mike) Nagel, Katina (James) Humphries, Kim Zach, Erica (Royce) Germain, Emily Baxter, Erin Baxter, Brian Baxter, and Sarah Baxter; step-grandchildren, Heather(Kelly) Coffey and Joel (Kristi) Erickson; great-grandchildren, Melanie and Nicole Baxter, Joshua Linc , Alexandra Lechner, Karissa and Leah Linc, MicKenley and Charles John (C.J.) Nagel, Aspen Cardwell, Hayden Humphries, and Nathaniel Coffey; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Coming home on furlough, Gordon and Helen were united in marriage on Feb 17, 1944 in Graceville, MN. To this union four children were born, June, Irene, Corinne and Edward. The family made their home west of Graceville where Gordon farmed until 1969. After selling the farm, Gordon and Helen moved into town in Graceville where Gordon worked in the carpentry business for a number of years starting his own Baxter Construction Company with Ray Honkomp. Leroy Baxter, his nephew, was employed by them and eventually purchased the business from them when they decided to retire. Following his retirement, Gordon continued his love of working with wood by building cabinets and working in his shop sharpening saws and doing other woodwork projects.
In his younger years, Gordon enjoyed playing his accordion and playing in a group at barn dances which he and Helen enjoyed tremendously. In his spare time after retirement, Gordon enjoyed fishing and gardening as well as working with wood. He cherished the time he spent with his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and friends. When anyone asked him about his Nationality he always replied, "I am German with just enough Dutch to cover the wood on the bottom of my shoes." He will be truly missed.
Gordon passed away on Monday, May 16, 2005 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, ND, at the age of 87 years and 6 days.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen, one daughter, June; and a son-in-law, Charles and all his brothers and sisters.
Gordon is survived by his children, Irene Linc of Washington, IL; Corinne Zach (Ron Erickson, her husband) of Morris, MN; and Edward (Paula) Baxter of Graceville, MN; grandchildren, Darren (Stacy) Baxter, Tonia Baxter, Chad Baxter, ReNae (Larry) Lechner, Jason (Becky) Linc, Alisa (Mike) Nagel, Katina (James) Humphries, Kim Zach, Erica (Royce) Germain, Emily Baxter, Erin Baxter, Brian Baxter, and Sarah Baxter; step-grandchildren, Heather(Kelly) Coffey and Joel (Kristi) Erickson; great-grandchildren, Melanie and Nicole Baxter, Joshua Linc , Alexandra Lechner, Karissa and Leah Linc, MicKenley and Charles John (C.J.) Nagel, Aspen Cardwell, Hayden Humphries, and Nathaniel Coffey; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.