Paul "Curly" Baer

Paul Roger Baer, more affectionately known as Curly, was born on July 25, 1936, the son of Paul and Anna (Christiansen) Baer in Denison, Iowa. He was baptized in 1948 and confirmed his faith prior to marriage. Curly attended Denison Elementary School and Otter Creek Country Schools before graduating from Schleswig High School with the Class of 1954.

During high school, Curly began dating Marlene LaRue Bielenberg, and the two were united in marriage on April 26, 1959, at Friedens Evangelical and Reformed Church in Schleswig. They were blessed with two sons, Daniel and Dennis. Curly helped on the family farm and held various jobs, including working as a rural mail carrier and hauling milk for Langley’s Dairy out of Odebolt. He later worked as a carpenter for Petersen Construction for over 30 years before joining the City of Schleswig, where he served as the Water and Wastewater Superintendent for more than 30 years.

Curly was a member of the United Church of Christ and the Schleswig Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially fishing, birdwatching and gardening. In their younger years, Curly and Marlene enjoyed bowling in leagues with friends and participating in card clubs. He also looked forward to the annual horseshoe tournament. Above all, Curly cherished time spent with his family and visiting with friends.

Curly passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, at the age of 90 years, three months and three days. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marlene Baer; grandson, Carson Baer; and siblings: Richard “Dick” (Claudine “Babe”) Baer and Floyd “Jim” Baer; and siblings-in-law: Arliss Schultz and Whitey Engesser.

He is survived by his sons: Daniel (Jodi) Baer of Farmington, Minnesota and Dennis (Bridget) Baer of Bondurant; grandchildren: Tyler Sheer, Sebren (Alison) Baer, Isaac Baer, Hanna (John) Seurer, and Parker Baer; siblings-in-law, Betty Engesser of Tracy, Minnesota and Dale (Mae) Bielenberg of Centennial, Colorado; and other extended family members and friends.

Visitation with family and friends will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at the Huebner Funeral Home in Schleswig. His funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the United Church of Christ in Schleswig. Interment will follow in the Morgan Cemetery.