A Memorial Service for Jeff Baade of Baudette MN, will be held on Tuesday December 9 at 11:00am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baudette. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the funeral.
Jeff Baade passed away on December 2, 2025, at the age of 70 in Baudette, Minnesota, surrounded by his family. Jeff faced significant health challenges beginning in 2009, and he met each one with strength and determination.
Jeff was born on November 4, 1955, in Baudette to Darrel and Gloria (Lavalla) Baade. He grew up in his hometown and graduated from Lake of the Woods High School in 1973.
Shortly after graduation, Jeff ventured to Alaska, where he spent five years working for Sy Nelly Copper Valley Construction and living in Glennallen. During this time, he welcomed his first two children. He eventually returned to Minnesota to continue his life in Baudette, where he later had two more children. On August 16, 1986, Jeff married the love of his life, Joni, and together they were blessed with another child.
Jeff dedicated nearly four decades (1982–2020) to working for Larry Larson and his various companies. He especially enjoyed working the fields, primarily growing wheat and canola. When winter arrived and the farm work slowed, the team sought new projects beyond Christmas tree production, leading to the creation of Automotive Enviro Testing (AET) in 1993. What began on 4 Mile Bay ultimately grew into a large-scale testing course constructed on an old Air Force base just outside of town. Jeff took great pride in this work and served as a leader on the team for many years.
Outside of work, Jeff found joy in hunting, camping, golfing, gardening, and running the dog. He dearly loved the expansive gardens maintained by Jack Senior near the Canadian border and, as Jack grew older, Jeff took on more of the responsibility of caring for them and sharing fresh vegetables with the community.
Family was always at the heart of Jeff’s life. In 1989, his parents and other family members began the annual Baade Family Camping Trip—a tradition filled with memories of shared meals, golfing, tubing, and relaxing on the beach. These moments together were among Jeff’s greatest joys.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Joni; his children, Jennifier, Michael (Meggan), Sarah, Matthew (Cynthia), and Christine (Jared); and 13 grandchildren, with another on the way.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Darrel and Gloria Baade, and his father- and mother-in-law, Jack and Hilia Jarousek.
Jeff will be remembered as a proud, hardworking man who treasured every moment with his family and friends. Heaven gained another good one. Walkomolie!
Last modified: 12/05/2025
