Walter A. Baakari , 93, of Kettle River joined his beloved wife of 35 years, Lydia, in heaven when he died peacefully of natural causes on Monday, April 22, 2013 at Augustana Mercy Health Care Center, Moose Lake, Minn.

Walter was born February 11, 1920 in Moose Lake and was the youngest of August and Mary Baakari's children and the only one of them born in a hospital. He was a lifelong resident of Kettle River and operated the family farm with his brothers George and Richard while working as a freelance electrician, lumberman and carpenter before spending 20 years as a highwayman with MN DOT where he operated a snow plow and mott mower until his retirement in 1983. In retirement he continued to tinker on his tractor, read the daily paper, watch the Twins, cheer for the Vikings and play Yahtzee.


He married Lydia on July 17, 1965 at St. Joseph Church in Split Rock. He was preceded in death by Lydia, his parents, three brothers: George Baakari, Richard Baakari, and Frank Paakari; five sisters: Aino Baakari, Olga Suomela, Fanny Obraske, Hulda Bisila and Lillian Sebring; and two infant siblings: Frank and Alma Baakari.


He is survived by his two loving daughters Ann Baakari of Kettle River, Minn.; and Audra Baakari-Boyle, son-in-law Scott Boyle, and grandson Conor Walter Baakari Boyle of Superior, Wis., and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.


Special and appreciative thanks to the management, nurses, and staff of Augustana Mercy Health Care Center for all their tremendous kindnesses to Walter during the last few years.

Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Friday, April 26, 2013 in Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home and continue from 9am until the 10 am funeral on Saturday, April 27, 2013 in Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake. Spring Burial will be in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Split Rock Twp.

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.