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Mark Baldwin, 97

It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Mark Lehn Baldwin (97 years) of Humboldt, Minn.
Mark Baldwin was a farmer, businessman, electrician, repairman, computer buff, board member for the Humboldt Elevator and the Humboldt School.
He was born in Emerson, Manitoba to Philip and Rose Baldwin and lived in Saint Vincent, Minn. He went to grade school there until the family bought a farm and he finished high school in Humboldt, Minn.
Mark was an avid student and loved inventing things. He created a hitch and other things to make farm work easier. And as kids, he and his brother built telescopes and radios. His family loved music and Mark enjoyed playing the clarinet growing up.
Mark received a scholarship to attend the University of Minnesota in the College of Engineering. In addition to studying, Mark worked 20 hours a week as a bus boy and dishwasher to pay expenses. To his great regret he was unable to finish his degree. All scholarships were withdrawn during the war, and Mark was tasked with going home to raise crops for the war effort.
In 1943, Mark met and married Joyce Larson of Kennedy, Minn. Together they moved into the Baldwin family homestead one mile south of Humboldt on Highway 75 where they raised nine children. After all the children had grown up and left home, Mark and Joyce bought a winter home in Yuma, Ariz., and traveled seasonally back to Humboldt for the summers.
Joyce died May 15, 2009. In 2014, Mark met and married Shirley Rydberg of Hallock, Minn. They shared many interests. Mark loved to eat and Shirley loved to cook. They also played cards, entertained family and stayed connected to a large number of friends from Kittson County.
Mark is survived by, his wife, Shirley Rydberg; all nine of his children, 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Mark’s children are Mark Michael (Lee) Baldwin of Gilbert, Ariz.; Joyce Michelle (Denny) Vershaw of Elk Grove, Calif.; Thomas (Ardith) Baldwin of Olathe, Kan.; Mary Jane (Joel) Brown of Bastrop, Texas; Ronald (Colette) Baldwin of Humboldt; Cynthia (Don Huggins) Baldwin of Reno, Nev.; Margaret (Mark) Wheeler of Mankato, Minn.; Mark Lehn Jr. (Melody) Baldwin; and Kristine (Dan) Ohmann of St. Vincent, Minn.
A celebration of Mark’s life will be organized in the spring. Condolences for the family can be sent via the Austin Funeral Home website.

2 Comments

  1. Ron&Judy Vroom on January 1, 2020 at 1:18 pm

    I met Mark later in his life and got to know him better one sugar beet harvest season driving truck for the farm. It quickly was obvious to me how resourceful and knowledgeable he was about many things and that his widespread respect was well deserved. My condolences to his family, many of whom I have met. Ron Vroom

  2. Opal Thompson Lander on January 27, 2020 at 10:51 am

    Although I never knew Mark, I knew some of his family, growing up in Hallock. May they be comforted with many good memories! (greetings to mutual friends-Ron & Judy Vroom too)

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