Gregory “Butch” Carl Bakeberg was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on April 18, 1947, to Carl and Ann (Regan) Bakeberg. He entered into eternal life with Jesus on December 12, 2021, surrounded by his wife and children, at the age of 74 years.
He grew up on the family farm on Lake Emma in Victor Township, Minnesota. In 1965 he graduated from Howard Lake High School. He enlisted in the National Guard and started farming in partnership with his brother George until their families began to grow and they started their own farms to hand down to the next generation.
Butch married Faye Winterhalter at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Loretto on September 26, 1970. The couple made their home on the original Bakeberg homestead where they raised their family and lived a joy filled life for the past 51 years.
Butch enjoyed farming and napping but most important to him was time spent at the farm with family. Faye and Butch enjoyed playing 500 with their card club and they liked to travel. Butch was an active member of St. Mary’s Church of Waverly, he served on the Wright County fair board, the Victor Township board, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted FFA Alumni. He enjoyed antique tractors and visiting with friends.
Butch was passionate about promoting the dairy industry. He was a founding member of the Wright County Breakfast on the Farm Committee. He and his family hosted the first Wright County Breakfast on the Farm in 2009 and continued to host 7 additional breakfasts where thousands of people were educated about dairy farming. He was also an active member of the Wright County American Dairy Association board. He found the perfect match of faith and farming while hosting Rural Life Sunday mass twice at the family farm.
He could be seen daily with a dog or two in the gator or the truck tending to business for the farm. He loved his dogs and all of the animals on the farm. Butch’s life can be summed up in three words: Faith, Family, Farming.
His legacy will live on in his wife Faye of Waverly, children: Cindy (Jeff) Munn of Waverly, Dave (Kris) Bakeberg of Howard Lake, Tim (Danielle) Bakeberg of Melrose, Wisconsin, Mary (Matt) Lindberg of Kimball, Pat (Joanna) Bakeberg of Waverly. Grandchildren: Lauren and Riley Munn, Josie (Logan), Kaleb, and Audri Bakeberg, Reid and Lidia Bakeberg, Cole, Emerson, and Madelyn Lindberg, Harper and Olivia Bakeberg.
He is also survived by his brother George (Kay) Bakeberg of Waverly, sisters-in-law Rose Winterhalter and Betty Winterhalter, along with many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors who were as close as family.
Butch is preceded in death by his parents Carl and Ann Bakeberg, father-in-law Louie and mother-in-law Catherine Winterhalter, brothers-in-law Ron and Merle Winterhalter, and niece Laurie Winterhalter.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 AM Thursday, December 16, 2021 at St. Mary’s Church of Waverly
Visitation: 4-8 PM Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at St. Mary’s Church of Waverly and 9-10:15AM at church on Thursday.
Prayer: 7:30 PM Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at St. Mary’s Church of Waverly.
Interment: St. Mary’s Cemetery, Waverly