Nov. 6, 2018 – St. Lawrence, WI – Harold J. “Hal” Baier, 85, of St. Lawrence, found peace on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton, WI surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Hal was born in the Town of Hartford on August 14, 1933 to Michael and Anna (nee Bales) Baier. He proudly served in the U. S. Army from 1953-1955, when he was granted an honorable discharge to care for his mother. He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Alice E. Kraus, on August 27, 1955 at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Nenno, Wisconsin. Together they renovated his mother’s house in St. Lawrence and raised their family there. Hal worked at John Deere in Horicon where he was a truck driver and worked in Research and Development. In retirement, he enjoyed driving for Bonded Messenger along with many kinds of outdoor activities, especially his daily “tour” to check out the marsh. He was proud of his home and gardens and could always be found sitting with Alice in the backyard with a cup of coffee in his hand. He was completely devoted to his wife and family.
Hal is survived by his loving wife Alice, of 63 years; seven children, Debbie (Lyle) Hoefert of West Bend, Randy Baier of Oxford, Mike (Barb) Baier, of West Bend, Donna (Bill) Graves of Appleton, Gary (Jeanette) Baier of St. Lawrence, Denise (Mark) Malzahn of West Bend and Dawn Christman of Brookfield. He was loved by thirteen grandchildren, Vicki (Jon) Bantz, Valerie (Nicholas) Blair, Gail (Christopher) Recker, Christine (Andrew) Strobel, Kyle (partner, Tiffany Grap), Wade (Ashley) Baier, Ashley (Mitch) Dessart, Rebecca Baier, Jenni (Ryan) Esselmann, Cody Baier, Rachel (Chris) Bauer, Brittany Malzahn, and Harper Mayo. He thoroughly enjoyed the visits of eleven great-grandchildren, Connor Bantz, Jill and Luke Blair, Evan and Elliot Recker, Zackary Strobel, Cienna, McKenna Fae Baier, Blake Esselmann, Austin Kedinger, and Levi Bauer. He is further survived by three sisters- in- law, Mona Kraus, Florence Reindl, Susan Kraus and other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Anna Baier, sister and brother-in-law, Asella and Leo Rettler, sister- in-law, Lavern Kraus, brother- in-law, Alvin Reindl, and a great-granddaughter Brynnlee Baier.
Mass of Christian burial for Hal will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic church (4886 Hwy 175 Hartford, WI) with Father Davies Edassery. Family will greet relatives and friends at the church from 12:00 – 1:45 p.m.
Interment to follow at St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Lawrence Catholic Church are appreciated.