February 5, 1954 - August 13, 2024
Ron Baker passed away at age 70 after an all-too-brief battle with cancer. He left a lasting impact on his family, friends, and anyone he met. This is his story.
Ronald Cortland Baker was born on February 5, 1954, younger brother to Nancy, son of Iola and Cortland, and grandson of Scandinavian immigrants. He was raised in the blue-collar city of Richfield, Minn. but his grandpa’s camp in northern Minnesota was his favorite place to be. That began a life-long love affair with the north woods, and something he instilled in his three daughters and four grandchildren. More on that in a minute.
In high school, he worked hard at the local garden center to buy his dream car—a 1970 blue Chevelle convertible—later in life he found a red Chevelle convertible with black racing stripes that certainly rekindled some of that early muscle car magic.
After school, he followed in the footsteps of his dad and grandpa when he became a carpenter, a trade he was always so proud of and continued for 50 years. He’d say with a sarcastic smile: ‘But I did drive by a college a couple of times!’
In the mid-1970s Ron met the love of his life, Nancy Venaas. The young couple married in 1977, and settled in nearby Bloomington where they raised their three daughters, Amy, Dana, and Jodie. Most importantly, they found the perfect ‘beachside’ land in the woods of Outing, Minnesota. There he built a cabin that hosted hundred of friend gatherings, family holidays, hunting and fishing trips, and so many more activities that will continue to live on in his spirit. There’s no place on Earth he’d rather be than at the cabin, he’d always say.
He started his own business, Roncor (Ron x Cortland) Remodeling in the early ‘80s, leveraging his skills as a master carpenter and honing his skills as a business man. He served countless customers and friends in the Twin Cities since then, and 40 years later, Roncor continues to do so.
Ron, Nancy, and the girls loved to travel, taking weeks-long trips in the big Suburban every summer to national parks and other adventures around the country. He continued these summer adventures with the most important people in his life—his grandkids—traveling to Alaska, Mexico, and everywhere in between. Ron loved taking them on jeep and snowmobile trips through the woods, cheering them on at school, teaching them the finer points of cribbage, the finer points of life.
Ron was a talented woodworker (the trusted RB brand!), passionate hunter (multiple trophy moose!), true carpenter at heart (like Jesus!), and Washburn Lake’s greatest pontoon captain.
He would always say, ‘There are two types who love me: old people and dogs.’ But with the outpouring of love after his passing from family and friends and employees and customers and even casual acquaintances, it’s obvious the massive impact Ron had on anyone he ever met. He had an infectious, larger-than-life personality, and it’s hard to image the world without that. But there’s a little bit of Ron in every person he knew—sayings he repeated, life lessons he preached, a restlessness to be working or in the outdoors. It’s a legacy that will live on for a long time in the people he knew and loved. Rest in peace, Ron. You did well.
Preceded in death by parents, Iola Jane and Cortland Arthur. Survived by his wife, Nancy; three daughters, Amy (Bill) Martin, Dana (Eric) Pasi, and Jodie Baker; four grandchildren, Emma, Jack, Cate, and Lili, sister, Nancy Lindberg; and so many other close friends and family.
All donations in memory of Ron will be given to the Fisher House of MN. Online donations can be made at www.cdceportal.va.gov/donate_online
Please click here to donate..
Celebration of Life
Sunday, September 15, 2024
2:00 PM
Green Acres Event Center
14150 Pioneer Trail
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
There will be a shuttle running back and forth between the Inflight Pilot Training parking lot across Pioneer Trail at Flying Cloud Airport and Green Acres for overflow parking. It is encouraged to fill-up the area by the chain link fence first (closest to Green Acres).
Visitation
Sunday, September 15, 2024
1:00-2:00 PM
Green Acres Event Center
14150 Pioneer Trail
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Gathering
Social hour to immediately follow the Funeral Service.
Please contact the family with additional questions and if you need assistance with hotels and transportation.
This picture says it all. That is how Ron will be remembered. Never left him without a laugh.
We will miss you Ron. It has been a pleasure working with you all these years. We are always
proud of the work you provided us.
What a lovely man he was! Ron was always a lot of fun. We saw him in Canada each year during the hunting season. My children and I had lots of laughs with him at John and Dru’s, many games of cards, cocktails, and storytelling. He was a surprise, and very welcome guest at my daughter Erin’s wedding and as usual was the life of the party. We were very sorry to hear of his passing and wanted to express our condolences to Nancy and his girls, whom he spoke of often. I hope the fact that he is remembered so fondly for his kindness and exuberance for life brings you some comfort.
New Ron from 3rd grade on through life, work, and more. Ron was one of a kind guy. Will be missed by all who new him. RIP.
Such a wonderful, loving, intelligent, talented and fun man that made the world a better place. He always had a great sense of humor and was a joy to be around. He loved his family dearly and smiled whenever he spoke of them.
Nancy, Amy, Bill, Emma, Jack, Dana, Eric, Cate, Lili, Jodie and Nancy L, thinking of all of you during this time and sending you all of our love. Our hearts mourn with you.
Ron, we are going to miss you greatly. Through your work of building and remodeling, you left your handprint on many homes throughout Minnesota, but you also left your handprint on many hearts. You will be missed greatly by all that were fortunate to know you. Thank you for the many great chats, construction advice, cribbage games and laughs throughout the years. You have been an amazing uncle and we love you and miss you.
-Adam, Kari, Hans and Britta Lindberg
We are so sad to hear of Ron’s passing. He has done many remodeling projects on our home as far back as when his Dad, Corky, was still alive. What a great pair those two were, and Ron continued to be a great source for us through the remaining years.. he was just a top notch guy and we enjoyed hearing about his family, his cabin, and his grandchildren. We are thinking of his family and friends with the deepest of sympathy. We will miss Ron popping over to check on a project and chatting with us and asking about us, too!
With warmest regards and our heartfelt sympathy,
Mike and Linda Magnuson
Ron is a legend, one in a million. He will be greatly missed. Always a big smile, a lot of fun. Our sincere sympathy goes out to Nancy and his entire family, our hearts and prayers are with you. What a wonderful, kind and generous man Ron was.
Bill and Patricia Haeg
Our deepest sorrow at hearing of Ron’s passing – our sympathies along with prayers for comfort are with Nancy and family. He was one of our favorite fixtures at any family gathering with his sweet joyous personality and those dance moves!!! Blessings on his memory and he will be greatly missed by our family.
My son on hearing of Ron’s passing, I’ll remember him as always positive, funny and a nice man.
Have a lot of memories of Ron. A generous and kind man. And yes, always had a positive attitude. He will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts are with Nancy and family during this difficult time.
Gone too soon, but his memory will forever remain.
Al & Nancy Lunser
Ron was like a brother to me. I went on many pheasant hunting trips, cabin expeditions, sales calls and other adventures with Ron. I’ll miss him and will always remember his saying “you can’t beat fun for having a good time” !
The first thing that comes to mind is unique. Ron was one of a kind. I first met Ron in the early 70’s designing cabinets for he and Cork (his father). I had the pleasure of working for and with Ron for many years. We learned a lot together. So many memories. I will never forget you Ronnie
We are so sorry to learn of Ron’s death. He was one of a kind in so many ways. We have been Roncor clients for nearly as long as we have been in this house, nearly 40 years, and are so grateful for Ron’s insights and advice. We never saw him without a smile, a kind word, and a laugh. Ron left his mark on our home and on us. We are so sorry for the Roncor family: Nancy, the girls, their families, the Roncor crew, and Roncor’s many clients. We have all lost so much with Ron’s passing, but all benefited so much from his wisdom and his life. Kent and Joanne Turner
Ron- We will miss your wit, smiles, laughter and ultimately, your hugs with heavy hand pats on the backs! Haha! You were the epitome of fun. Thank you for graciously opening your heart to all of us. You have definitely made an impact on your family and everyone else that felt like family.
We will continue to keep those memories alive.
Jeremiah