Roger Baier

Roger Baier

December 27, 2025

Roger Wayne Baier, age 75, of Eau Galle, WI passed away peacefully at home on December 27, 2025 with family by his side. He was born July 3, 1950 to Wayne and Hester (Soden) Baier. He grew up on the family farm. He had many good times with his siblings and his Grandpa Joe. He had many fond memories at St. Henry Catholic School and Church including his favorite teacher Sister Mary Matthews and the beautiful cross. He graduated from Durand High School in 1968.

He met and fell in love at first sight with Orpha Easterson showing cattle at the Wisconsin State Fair. They married on June 27, 1970 and had 3 children, who they raised on the family farm and continued the love of showing cattle. He and his Dad also raised a top producing herd of Registered Holsteins.

He loved Orpha more than life itself, she passed in 2015 due to an aggressive brain cancer. He later met Judy Hutter who was his companion in life for the past 9 years and graciously took care of him through all of his medical challenges. When his body was failing, his spirit never did.

Roger was a loving husband, dad, papa and great-papa, farmer, golfer and bowler. He loved pink flamingos, Roy Rogers and picking out some of the best fair calves. He was the Wisconsin Badger's #1 fan. He also loved the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Durand Panthers and EPC Wolves.

His greatest title was "Papa" to all who knew him, especially Joe Jr (Haley), Reice (Josh), Maya (Doug), Luke (Haley), Izak (Valerie), Hannah (Tyler), Regan (Wyatt), Cecelia, Rylan (Brady), Gabriella, Gerard, Maria, Vincent, Julia and Great Papa to Sebastian, Tate, Beckett and Donavan, along with the 3 more greats on the way.

If he had the chance to make your day, he would take it, whether it was with a FFFFFFIRE UUUUUUUUP cheer, a birthday song (even though growing up, the nuns told him NOT to sing), an upbeat message like, SSSSSUPER COOOOOOOL and WOOOOOOOW or a very, enthusiastic report of the local ESPN news. He never lost his child like wonder. He brought smiles, fun and magic to all. "Laugh a lot, make others happy and your life will be great" –Papa

Roger is survived by daughter-in-law Becky Baier, daughters Wendy (Charlie) Gruber and Cindy (Rob) Prissel, 14 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, Judy Hutter and her family, Joanne (Marty), Jamey (Kayla), Jennifer, Jill (Josh), and grandsons Issac, Gavin and Cooper. His siblings Dorothy (Pete) Lehmann, Dennis (Beth) Baier, Pat (Ruth) Baier. Orpha's siblings, Carol (Ron), Linda (Walt), John (Jeanne), Patty (Larry) and Marcy (Joe). Along with many nieces, nephews, friends, and his golf/bowling buddies too numerous to name. He was preceded in death by his wife Orpha, his son Joe, Godsons Larry Lee Reckin and Brian Veenendall, his parents; Wayne and Hester Baier, His father and mother-in-law Richard and Jean Easterson.

Special thank you to the St Croix Hospice team, especially his Nurse Sarah and Rhiel Funeral Home for the arrangements.

Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026 @ 11:00AM at St Henry Church in Eau Galle, with Father Hoeser officiating, burial to follow. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026 from 4:00PM-7:00PM.

Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.

Condolences may be made online at www.rhielfuneralhome.com.