Pauline Marie Baker

A Celebration of Life for Pauline M Baker, 99, of Rochester, MN, will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes (5421 Royal Place NW). Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Inurnment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Peter, MN.

Pauline Marie Bedard was born on May 25, 1927, in Barre, VT to Alexandre and

Yvonne (Daigle) Bedard. She passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026, at The Homestead in Rochester.

Polly graduated from high school in Barre, VT. It was there that she met her future husband, Willard Baker, while he was playing in a summer collegiate baseball league. They were married at the First Covenant Church in Iron Mountain, MI, on July 25, 1951. Willard's career in teaching and baseball eventually brought them to St. Peter, MN, where they raised their family. Upon retirement, the couple relocated to the San Antonio, TX area. Following Willard's passing in 2001, Polly remained in Texas for many years, staying vibrant and active in her local golf and bridge communities.

Anchored by her strong faith in Jesus, she was relentlessly positive and encouraging, had a wonderful sense of humor, and happily put the needs of others in front of her own. She was easy to love, and a joy to be around. Her decision to move to Rochester in 2015 from TX went like this: "sell the house, find me a place, you know what I like." Her driver's license address change, similar: "Polly, you need to take a test for the MN license." "I'm not taking a test, I'll never pass, sell the car." Every place she lived "was great, the staff were great, the food was great, and I have everything I need." In every conversation, she'd tell us how happy she was, and how much she loved her family.

Her last evening she asked "what's happening to me?" Pam said, "you're getting ready to meet Jesus." "Oh good!" she said. Early the next morning, she did.

She is survived by her three children: Pam (Ken) Dose, of Rochester, MN; Brad (Susie) Baker of Edina, MN; and Jeff (Sandy) Baker of New Buffalo, MI; as well as eight grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Willard, and her seven brothers and sisters.

Polly's warmth, joy, and final parting words to her family would always end with "love you most."

In lieu of flowers, plants or memorial gifts, please honor Polly by doing something nice for someone else.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Baker family.