Michael W. Baer

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN PLANS

Michael Wayne Baer “Mato Maza” (Iron Bear) July 10, 1959 to December 3, 2021

Michael of Woodlake, ND at age 62, our beloved brother, father, uncle, and grandfather “PaPa” left to join his parents, family and friends in God’s everlasting love on December 3, at Trinity Medical Center in Minot, ND.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday evening, December 9, 2021 at 6:00 pm with Father Paul Schuster, Officiating.  The procession to St. Michael will leave at 4 pm from City Plaza, Devils Lake with time of remembrance and rosary at 5:30 pm.   Burial/Interment will be in the St. Michael Cemetery at a later date.  A meal/giveaway in celebration of his life will be shared following Mass in the TECH center Thursday evening.  We would be honored for any singers/drum groups who would like to share their music/ or a song in honor of Mike.

Mike was born in Englewood/Sylmar, California to his parents Rudolph Herman “Bud” and Rosalie Gertrude (Cavanaugh) Baer.  Mike’s father as a professional truck driver and his mom gave him childhood experiences of growing up in a number of states including California, Nebraska and Kansas until moving home to Spirit Lake during his elementary school years.  He attended school in Devils Lake.  His training after high school he found that operating heavy equipment, carpentry and project development were to become his career interests.  In 1978 Mike met Clara Azure and began their family with their three children.  Daughter Jessi Marie Azure; son Andrew Paul Azure both of St. Michael and Morris Joseph (Daisy) Azure of Woodlake.

Mike worked various positions within the Spirit Lake Tribe and local area.  His visionary gift and hard work ethics helped him redesign the tribal housing program of the Tribe. He worked thru some of the Tribe’s most challenging many years of the lake region flooding.  His leadership and management skills brought a great crew of staff together working to improve housing and health at a critical time.  His ability to collaborate with federal, state, local resources and with integrity brought growth to the housing needs of the tribe.  In his later years Mike returned to enjoying the hard work of helping local ranchers with haying and cattle.  He also kept busy with his carpentry on many projects. 

Mike was known as gentle common man, good natured, an easy to talk to friend/buddy who had strong loyalty to share with his friends.  He was caring and was always there to give a helping hand. Becoming a “PaPa” was his greatest joy. His grandchildren were his gift he cherished most and was so proud of each of them for their special talents and interests. Mike enjoyed cooking, he carried on his mother’s family traditions of feeding family and relatives with a good cook out, good cooked meal for gatherings at holidays, birthdays and special events. 

Mike is survived by brother Rock Baer, Woodlake, ND; children and grandchildren - daughter Jessi and children Treyton, Kenyon, Carter and Luciano; son Andrew and children Luvenna, Lexijo, Justice, and Angela; son Morris with Morris,Jr; Isaac and new little one due any day.  Special friend Dee Demarce.  His aunts Edna McCaslin, St. Michael and Ida Mae Cavanaugh, Tacoma, WA., Darlene Wadsworth, St. Michael; Stella Cavanaugh, St. Michael.  Uncle Victor Mathney, NC.   Mike leaves also many special nieces, nephews and a large extended family.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents Bud and Rosalie, grandson Bud, niece Nikki Baer, uncles Benjamin, Herman “Cap”, William J “ Bill” , Jackie, and Robert “Bob” Cavanaugh; aunts Evelyn, Doris, Amelia “Pokey” Richotte, Marie Gaking and Debbie Cavanaugh.  His grandparents, many cousins and other loved ones who will be meeting him.

Cremains Urn bearer - Rock Baer, Jr.

Honorary Pallbearers- John Chaske & family, Clarence Keplin, Jr.; Fire Keepers - Fabian Jackson, Cecil Longie,Jr., Keith Azure, Rock Baer, Jr., Al Thompson, Kojak Thompson, Bill Longie, Jim Lenior, Sam Azure, Vern Lambert, Jr, Gary Owlboy, Jo-Jo/Cassandra Jackson, Kenyon Martinez, Anthony V., Keith Azure, Mitch Omen, Tye Redroad, Jr., TJ Longie, Seth Estenson, Devin & Teresa Greywater.  Aunts Edna McCaslin, Ida Mae Cavanaugh, Peggy Cavanaugh, Kelly Gannon; Friends and buddies Lyle & Cheri Schaffer, Craig Estenson, Hal Estenson, Jerry Lenior, Barry Geske, Busty McKay, Louie & Hopsty Dubois, Blaine Leftbear, Jr. Rue, Jake Wieker, Todd Cudworth, Gary Smith, Pete Ross, Kyle Meade & family, Shirleen Omen, Patrick Cavanaugh, Troy and David Lovejoy, Amy LaCroix, Paul, Erik, Kirk and Mark Matheny and Helen Schempp family.

Special thanks to his friends, co-workers, and relatives who shared in Mike’s lifetime of living and work.

“Your Memory is a keepsake from which I will never part.  God has you in his arms I have you in my heart.”