Lee Baker

Lee E. Baker, 76 of Island Lake formerly of Hermantown, died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 in Essentia Health St. Marys, surrounded by his family. Lee was born Nov. 21, 1935 in Duluth to Joe and Bessie Baker. He graduated from Hermantown High School and attended Hibbing Community College. Lee married Patricia Modean in Duluth on June 11, 1954 and they made their home in Hermantown. He retired in 1993 from the Minnesota Dept of Weights and Measures. Lee served on the Hermantown Board of Education for many years; he was the first coach of the Hermantown Arrows Baseball Team; bowled for many years at Country Lanes; owned and raced Grey Hounds throughout the U.S.; he was a stock car owner; built and operated a greenhouse, and he loved the outdoors, fishing and hunting, but spending time with his family and watching his children and grandchildrens sports is what Lee loved to do most. Lee was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Jo Vraa and his granddaughter, Shelby. He is survived by his wife, Pat; sons, Scott (Brenda), Mark (Sharon) and Jerry (Sue); daughters, Wendy (Dale) Wright, Tammy (Jason) Sweeney and Beth (Tom) Bittman; brothers, Mark (Sandy) and Eddie (Judy) Baker; sister, Peggy Miller; 17 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Marys for their loving care of Lee. VISITATION: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday in the Dougherty Funeral Home, where visitation will continue Thursday from 10 a.m. to the 11 a.m. Services. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd St. Duluth 55805, (218) 727-3555.