Larry Baldwin obit

Lawrence E. Baldwin, age 79, of Lonsdale, passed away Thursday, 01 October 2020 at 2:10pm surrounded by his family.

Memorial services will be held at Trondhjem Lutheran Church, Lonsdale on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 11 a.m. Interment and military rites will be at Trondhjem Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorial visitation will be at church for one hour prior to the service on October 13th.

Lawrence Earl was born on 12 July 1941 as the first baby born in the Big Fork Hospital in Big Fork, MN to Lyman and Rosella (Dorr) Baldwin. He graduated from Mound High School with the class of 1959 and from there he chose to join the Air Force. He enlisted in September 1960. In the Air Force, he was entrusted with some difficult tasks, such as loading Atomic Bombs on Aircrafts on the Flight Deck. He was Honorably Discharged September 1964. Shortly after leaving the Air Force, he started working for Control Data in 1964 fixing computers. He was married to Nancy L. Murphy on 7 August 1965 in Two Harbors, MN. They purchased their first vehicle, a ‘66 Fastback Mustang in red. While hunting at his sisters’ house in Barnum, MN, a bear came charging at both of them. Imagine trying to reload your gun while your ammo is in your back pocket…and you’re wearing a snowmobile suit. Obviously as soon as the bear heard the suit, it turned and started charging. Luckily, they were able to survive and both had a pretty amazing story to share. (And a new bear rug to take home.)

They moved out to Lonsdale, MN in 1973 because he wanted to make sure his children could attend the same school without moving around constantly. When he was a child, his family moved almost every year and it was very hard on him. (He is still living at the same home, and all of his children were able to attend the same school for their entire childhood…Thanks Dad.)

Larry loved spending time with his family and cherished every single moment with them. He was Lance’s Scoutmaster for his entire time in Boy Scouts and was also heavily involved with his daughter’s Girl Scout Troops. He taught the troops so many things; how to make a fire, cook with a box oven and Dutch ovens. Larry and Nancy created a unique camping experience for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts combined and called it S.O.S. (Scouts Outdoor Skills). They created a badge for the kids to earn and it was a wonderful event for all involved. He was very handy around the house and could fix any problem that occurred from car trouble to computer errors – if it needed repair, he was your man. He continued to work with Control Data until ‘92…28 years. Then he moved to United Health Care for 14 years, retiring after his stroke in October ‘09. We are all certain that was about the only thing that could slow him down. After retiring, he became an excellent woodworker, just like his father. He enjoyed carving and painting. The cross that is located on his urn vault was carved by him. He was a member of a woodcarvers group at his church and another in Faribault.

He is survived by his children, Lance and (Kathye) Baldwin of Lonsdale, Loralea Baldwin of Mankato, LeaAnn and (Kevin) Cory of Waseca; 11 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sister, Marlys Baldwin of Wadena; brothers-in-law, David and (Judy) Murphy of Missouri, Robert and (Elaine) Murphy of Onalaska, WI and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Nancy L. (Murphy) Baldwin; grandsons, Nathan Earl Cory and Zackary Allan Baldwin; sister, Gayle Struska; brother-in-law, Herbert Murphy; and parents, Lyman and Rosella (Dorr) Baldwin.