Dave Baack

To watch the recording of Dave's service click the following link: https://youtu.be/mmNK-jgrVXg

Services for Dave Baack, 83, of Balaton will be at 10:30 am on Thursday July 21, 2022, at St Peter Lutheran Church in Balaton. Visitation will be on Wednesday July 20, at the church, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm with a prayer service at 7:00pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Interment with military honors will follow at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery in Balaton.

Dave Baack was born on June 16, 1939, in Slayton, MN, to Guy and Hazel (Reese) Baack. His early years were spent in Lake Wilson, Slayton and in 1957 he graduated from Mankato High School. In 1960, Dave married Carol Robb and they had five children.

Dave served 22 years in the United States Army. He had three tours in Germany and one year at the 93rd Evacuation Hospital in Long Bien, Vietnam.

While stationed in Alaska he served on the Lutheran Mission Board and helped build a Bible Camp near Wasilla. He started a trophy store in his basement in the late 1970’s. He made wooden cutouts of Alaska. When the business grew he decided to open a storefront and then the business really took off. Alaskan Memories is still operated by family members.

After he moved to Slayton, MN, he began a project of revitalizing the long neglected racetrack. Dave and friends spent many long hours getting it back into working shape. He served as President of the Racing Association and was an original member of the Raceway Hall of Fame.

In 1996 Dave met and married Joan (Mitzner) Bruns.

Dave served on the Slayton City Council and was a lifelong member of the Balaton American Legion. He had many interests including hunting moose and fishing for King Salmon (even though he didn’t like to eat fish). He spent many hours snowmobiling, bowling and playing Pinochle. He enjoyed all sports, even coaching his sons in football. He made several trips to Florida for Twins spring training. He also liked to attend Vikings, Twins and Lynx games in person. He never missed a chance to attend his grandchildren’s sporting events from elementary school through college.

Dave had a passion for history, music, reading and traveling. He especially enjoyed his large collection of model cars and autographed Twins baseballs. After retirement, Dave had a t-shirt shop at their home, which the grandchildren enjoyed helping with. He was also employed by Project Turnabout, Slayton Nursing Home, Schwan’s Call Center, CHS Ingrain at Tracy and Arco, and CHS Energy in Pipestone. At the age of 70, Dave was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and neuropathy.

Dave died on Friday July 15, 2022 at Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. Survivors include his wife Joan; children Brian (Angela), Dawn, Robin, daughter in-law Cindy, Rebecca (Ted), Pam (Danny), and Kim (John); grandchildren Samantha, Michael, Jesse, Joshua, Garrett, Jacob, Sarah, Emma, Katherine, Sean, Alyssa, Brianna, Riley, Kaylee, Braelynn, Kara, Kelsey and Kristina; 6 great-grandchildren; sister Leann (Gerald) Giesen. Dave was preceded in death by his son William and sister Cleo Tesch.