BAIER, James Stuart (1947-2023)

BAIER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/28/2023 at 21:15:11

James Stuart Baier
(August 3, 1947 - March 13, 2023)

Memorial services for James Stuart Baier, 75, of Indianola, who passed away Monday, March 13, 2023 in Des Moines, will be held 12:30 p.m., April 1, 2023 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Indianola. Family will greet friends one hour prior to services from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church. Inurnment of cremains will be at a later date in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Adel with full military honors.
James Stuart Baier was born August 3, 1947 in Creston, Iowa to Stuart & Thelma Baier. The oldest of four children, "Jimmie" as he was called then, grew up on a farm near Greenfield, Iowa. He was active in church activities, showed cattle in 4-H, and lettered in football, baseball, basketball, and track. He played clarinet in the band and graduated from Greenfield High School in 1966.
Jim grew up listening to the St. Louis Cardinals on the radio and would be an avid fan his entire life. Following a stint at Iowa State University, Jim enlisted in the United States Navy in 1969, serving as an Aviation Support Equipment Technician. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Jim was introduced to Sandra Olstad by his sister, Jo. Jim & Sandi married August 25, 1973 and resided in Des Moines. To this union, two sons, Michael and Steven were born. The family moved to Indianola in 1984. Jim was an active Dad, serving as a scout leader and Little League coach.
After short stints at Bellas Hess and John Deere, Jim spent most of his working life in the mailroom at Meredith Printing in Des Moines starting in 1975 and staying through a series of mergers and buyouts until the plant closed. Following this, he landed the job he truly enjoyed as an account manager at CDS for 10 years, retiring in 2015.Jim and his siblings enjoyed a very close relationship all their lives, rotating Christmas hosting duties each year. Jim loved Christmas season and decorating the house with his collection of Santa Clauses and lights. During the winter, Jim enjoyed Iowa and Iowa State basketball, daily crossword puzzles, and watching old movies. In warmer weather, he enjoyed being outdoors tending to his yard & flower beds -- unless the St. Louis Cardinals were on TV! Jim and Mike made many annual trips to Busch Stadium in St. Louis to see the Cardinals in person. Jim & Sandi enjoyed car trips to Midwest destinations.
Jim is survived by his wife Sandi Baier; sons, Mike Baier and Steve Baier; brother, Earl (Cindy) Baier and sister, Jo (Russ) Richards; sister-in-law Mary Baier and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stuart and Thelma Baier and his brother Lynn Baier. Memorials may be given in his name to the Indianola Fire and Rescue. [This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/]