Darlene Freeman Baer

Darlene Freeman Baer caught the afternoon train to heaven October 6, 2024. We knew her time was coming soon as we heard the call of the train whistles throughout the day. Her family was with her to send her off as she heeded the “all aboard” call and was greeted by her one and only conductor Richard. 

Darlene was born to Levi and Elma Freeman November 29, 1936 in Herriman Utah. Later the family moved to Bountiful Utah. She was the youngest of 8 children. Throughout her youth she enjoyed playing jacks, cooking, hanging out with friends, and most of all roller skating. She earned money during the summer picking radishes for 5 cents a bushel. Darlene absolutely loved roller-skating so much that she taught it to others her last year in high school. She graduated from Davis High in 1955 and then went on to compete as a professional roller skater for four years, earning several awards for solo and couple performances. Darlene made great friends with the owners of the rink in Logan Utah and they became life-long family friends. 

After her roller-skating career, she started work at Sperry Corporation. This is where Richard spied her from afar and asked a co-worker to introduce him to her. Dad got her name and number and called her that very evening for a date. One month later he asked for her hand in marriage and they were married September 2, 1960. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on June 7, 1961. 

After a short assignment in Seattle with Dad serving in the U.S. National Guard, they moved into their first home in Taylorsville Utah where they raised their six children. Marlin (Connie) Baer, Mark (Astrid) Baer, Debbie (Jerry) Canova, Laurie (Ray) Mudrow, Chris (Mark) Kossin and Michael (Lorna) Baer. When she became a mother, she became a self- appointed “Domestic Engineer” and would never quit. As the children grew, she worked and volunteered at their elementary and junior high schools. 

Darlene was a true domestic goddess! She sewed matching dresses for her daughters every Easter. We can’t even begin to count the hours she must have spent sewing doll and Barbie clothing late at night and into the early morning to help out Santa. She sewed at least 40 different square-dancing dresses covered in ruffles with matching shirts for dad for their square-dancing obsession, resulting in calls for help from their fellow club members. She designed and sewed costumes for numerous roadshows for the church and won several awards for her talents. Darlene was a true master behind a sewing machine! But most of all, she loved sewing blessing dresses and tuxedos for her grandchildren’s blessing days. And DON’T even get us started about her cooking and baking skills!

As the family grew, weekends were spent camping with the square dance clubs at different locations. The evenings were filled with dancing and this is when their children first learned the true chicken dance. They held many positions within the square-dancing community. Together mom and dad enjoyed nights together doing something that they both loved. 

After dad’s retirement they joined the Salt Shakers club within the Good Sams camping club. They traveled to many places in their 5th wheel trailer. They enjoyed the association with their friends traveling across the US. They held many offices at the local and state level with Good Sams. Her sewing skills once again gained more attention and awards as she designed and sewed costumes for the club parades. 

Darlene was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed serving in various positions throughout her life including a service mission at the Centerville Distribution Center together with Richard which she truly enjoyed, she loved serving others. 

When it came to the grandkids, she spoiled them rotten. From attending games, concerts, performances, she was their number one supporter. She cherished the time they spent together creating memories. The grandkids enjoyed decorating holiday cookies for Halloween and Valentines, tea parties with all the granddaughters, sleepovers, and ice cream addictions. 

Darlene is preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard, her parents and her 7 siblings, June, Alieen, Midge, Richard, Dean, Leo and Elaine. She is survived by her 6 children and their spouses, 22 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 4 more who will join the Baer Clan soon.

There will be a viewing on Friday, October 11, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing prior from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the Bridlewood Ward Building, 165 West Monarch Drive, Bountiful, Utah.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.

We love you around the rink and back! Sending you off with a great big BAER hug!