Milford P. Baggenstoss, aged 89, of rural Jordan, passed away on June 19, 2024.
A Christian Funeral will be held in Milford’s honor on Monday, July 1, 2024 at 11:00 AM, with a Time of Gathering from 9:00 AM-10:45 AM, all at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (5634 Luther Rd SE) in Prior Lake. Milford will be laid to rest with his wife, Joyce, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be distributed on behalf of the Baggenstoss family in Milford’s honor.
Milford Paul Baggenstoss was born on August 7, 1934, in Hill City, MN, to parents Elmer and Alma Baggenstoss. Milford had big shoes to fill, being the oldest and only son. Growing up on the farm, he learned how to be a hard worker. He worked in the fields, tended to the horses and the dairy cows. It was tough work, but when he wasn’t helping out on the farm, he was with his dog, Stubby, or playing baseball.
Milford graduated from Upsala High School in 1953 and started working. He worked for a large potato farm in Osseo, off old 169 and 52, until the army called, and Milford answered. He served as company clerk in the 5th Armored Division out of Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas. He was active duty in South Korea for 1 year before returning home and being Active Reserve until his honorable discharge in 1964. Milford never learned how to sit still, often working 2-3 jobs at a time. He had many odd jobs before starting his career as a fleet mechanic at Minnegasco. He spent 36 years there before retiring for the first time in 1996. It didn’t take him long to come out of retirement and work at Ames Percheron farm, and finally finished off his working years at Northland Fire.
During his working years, Milford would meet his future wife, Joyce Johnson. Milford’s sister, Darlene, would set them up on a blind date! They went out dancing together, and Milford charmed Joyce with his excellent dancing skills. Milford loved to dance, especially to any polka songs! He was also a true romantic, proposing to his beloved at the gas station in Big Lake. They soon married on April 30, 1960, in Minneapolis. It wasn’t long before they started their beautiful family, having 3 daughters, Becky, Bonnie, and Jill.
Family was Milford and Joyce’s life. They loved their daughters deeply. When their kids were young, they spent time as a family together going to the local drive-in theater, snowmobiling in the winter, and just being together as a family.
When Milford became a grandfather, his life changed forever. He was over the moon with joy and spoiled his grandchildren absolutely rotten! He never declined an opportunity to babysit or take the kids for a couple days. If it was his way, he would’ve taken them for weeks! He loved his grandchildren deeply and were so proud of them all. The love tripled when they welcomed their great-grandchildren into the world. The grandkids kept them young!
Milford was a man of deep faith as well, growing up Lutheran. He was a true God-fearing man and made sure to attend every Sunday service. There was never a good enough excuse to miss Sunday services!
Milford’s generous, determined, humble, and hardworking self will be forever remembered by his daughters, Becky (Gary) Lee, Bonnie (Zach) Reed, Jill Breckner; grandchildren, Mandi (Matt) Rademacher, Katherine (Justin) Perry, Cody Dorn, Logan (Avery) Reed; great grandchildren, Lily Rademacher, Weston Rademacher and baby Reed coming soon; sisters, Darlene Klug, Shirley (Joe) Primus; and many other loving relatives and friends.
Milford is greeted in Heaven by his Wife, Joyce Baggenstoss; son-in-law, William Breckner; grandson, Martin Lee; parents, Elmer and Alma Baggenstoss; and brother-in-law, Jim Klug.
