Gerald Baer

Gerald (Jerry) Baer, age 69, of Canby, Minn., passed away at his home on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 21, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Canby. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Canby City Cemetery in Canby. Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel in Canby has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Gerald (Jerry) LeRoy Baer was born in Canby, Minn., on January 5, 1957, to Walter and Edna (Zachow) Baer. He was baptized at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gary, S.D., and he was confirmed at Nicolai Lutheran Church in Canby. He graduated from Canby High School in 1977. After graduation, he went to work at Swift Company in Marshall, and he worked there for many years. After his employment in Marshall, he took to the streets of Canby, picking up after others for countless years until his passing. For his dedication to keeping Canby clean, he was awarded the Community Service Award on March 31, 2006.

Jerry loved dogs, and he would take care of various people’s dogs throughout the years and he enjoyed every minute of it. He also enjoyed various sports, especially baseball and WWE Wrestling. Locally, he enjoyed baseball and softball games and was known to help out retrieving balls that cleared the fence. A cold Pepsi was Jerry’s go-to drink of choice, and he was known to be well stocked at all times. Jerry was a collector of various things, and he found joy in his discoveries and his hope was to find someone who could use his newly found treasures.

Jerry will be remembered by his siblings: Sharon Baer, Canby; Micheal Baer, Canby; Kathy (Doug) Van Santen, Brandon, S.D.; and Bonnie (Paul) Olson, Porter; nieces and nephews: Heather Olson; step-nephews: Aaron (Chrissi) Olson and Ryan (Tawny) Olson; Brittany Miller and Justin Van Santen; step-niece and nephew: Tanya Olsen and Wayne (Shelly) Olsen; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Edna Baer; sister in infancy, Leona Baer; and sister-in-law, Joyce Baer.