ALGONA — Barbara Ann Baer, 90, of Algona, passed away Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at her home, leaving behind a life grounded in family, faith and service to her community.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 30, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at Lentz Funeral Home in Algona and will continue for one hour before the service at the church Thursday. Inurnment will take place Saturday, August 1, at East Lawn Cemetery in Algona.
Barbara was born July 15, 1936, in Algona, the daughter of John W. and Genevieve Nellis Helmers. She began her education in a small country school before continuing through the Algona Community School system.
On October 3, 1955, Barbara married Gordon D. Baer in Lu Verne, Minnesota. Together they raised two sons, David and Robert, and built a family that would remain the center of Barbara’s life.
Barbara worked for the Algona School District as a food service assistant, helping care for generations of local students before retiring in 1999.
A longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Barbara valued her faith and treasured time with her family—especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed fishing, camping and the memories created during time spent outdoors with those she loved.
Barbara is survived by her sons, David and Joy Baer of Overland Park, Kansas, and Robert “Bob” and Sheila Baer of Algona; grandchildren, Dale and Nasreen Baer of Cedar Rapids, Brittany and Dustin Amesbury of Mankato, Minnesota, Melissa and Jeremiah Wilhelm of Lawrence, Kansas, and Lauren and James Anderson of Lawrence, Kansas; and great-grandchildren, Kasjen Baer, Graham Amesbury, Beau Amesbury, Nigel Baer, Blakely Anderson and Callahan Anderson.
She is also survived by her sister, Maxine Holcomb of Algona, and brother, Jerry and Becky Helmers of Algona.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gordon Baer; her sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Bob Witham; and brother-in-law Kenny Holcomb.
LENTZ FUNERAL HOME is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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