St. Hilaire - Elliot R. Baker, 30, died Wednesday, February 25, 1998 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls with Reverends Terry Skildum and Lloyd Heroff officiating. Phyllis Dalager was the organist. Special music was provided by Joel Kezar and Gerald Gilbert. Casketbearers were Jon Kruse, Bruce Walker, Greg Johnson, Vinse Iverson, Greg Rowley, Bobby Fladeland II, Frank Hageman and Dave Hagen. Honorary casketbearers were his former football coaches Mumm and Schmitz, business associates, fellow race drivers and fans, and all relatives and friends. Burial was at Community Cemetery in St. Hilaire. The Green Funeral Home of Thief River Falls was in charge of the arrangements.
Elliot Ryan Bakers was born on October 6, 1967 at Grand Forks, ND, the son of Robert G. and Lannette K. (Gregory) Baker. He was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls and confirmed at Calvary Lutheran Church in St. Hilaire. He attended elementary school in St. Hilaire and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1987. Elliot played football in high school and for one year at Northland Community College.
Following his father's death in 1986, Elliot took over Baker's Acres. In 1997, he changed the name to Baker's Auto Salvage and Sales and operated the business until his untimely death.
On January 14, 1996, Elliot was united in marriage to Kristen Peters at Port Canaveral, FL.
He was a member of the Eagles Club in Thief River Falls, Ducks Unlimited, Minnesota Deer Hunters, Wissota Modified Racing Assn., Automotive Recyclers of Minnesota and the National Federation of Independent Business Owners. Elliot was a sponsor for many area sporting teams, mens' and women's softball, volleyball, racing, demo cars and snowmobiles.
He enjoyed life, racing cars and three-wheelers, demolition derbys and spending time with his family and friends.
Elliot is survived by his wife, Kris of St. Hilaire; his mother, Lannette of St. Hilaire; one sister, Ladora (fiance Bobby Davidson) of Thief River Falls; one niece; grandmother, Mary Baker of Thief River Falls; father-in-law Gary (Shari) Peters of Viking; mother-in-law Rae Ann (Gene) Halvorson of Viking; two Godchildren, Desirae Baker and Jaden Kruse; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert; grandparents, George Baker and Edwin and Glenna Gregory; and two infant brothers, Jeffrey Robert and Phillip Reade.