Jay M Baldwin

Jay M Baldwin passed away on Monday, August 10th, 2026, at Knute Nelson Care Center surrounded by his family. He was 92 years old. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 19th, 2026, at Anderson Funeral Home with open visiting one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at a later date at Big Bend Lutheran Cemetery in Milan, MN. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Elder Network, Douglas County Hospice, or a humanitarian organization of your choosing.

Jay M. Baldwin was the second of seven children born to Galen and Irene (Hardwick). He was born on June 20, 1934, at home near Holloway, Minnesota. He always enjoyed telling stories of his childhood on the farm. He was an all-star athlete and played the bass horn in band. After graduating from Milan High School in 1951 he continued working on the family farm, alongside his dad.

In January 1954, Jay married his high school sweetheart, Mae Molden, at Big Bend Lutheran Church. Together, they welcomed three children, Pamela, Linda, and Keith. They loved rural life and being close to family for evening visits, weekend potlucks and holidays. During the next few years Jay had a variety of careers from road construction to seining minnows, and from custom combining to welding. He was proud of his years in the Army National Guard where he became a tank commander and sharp shooter. He said he joined up to follow his brother, Tom who was fighting in the Korean War, but the war ended before he was called to combat.

Tom called Jay in 1965 and said there was construction job in Owatonna, so the family moved to Owatonna, where he began working in construction. He was known for his skill at cabinet making, a hobby that became a career. The family enjoyed camping and fishing and had several vacations in the Alexandria area. Another opportunity (and a nudge from Mae) came up and the dream to move to vacation country and back closer to more family became reality in 1971.

Jay continued his construction career in Alexandria. He worked as a job foreman at Watkins Construction which built many commercial buildings in Douglas County and around the state. Jay and family built their family home “in the woods” working nights and weekends. Jay and Keith eventually became “Baldwin Construction” company and specialized in townhouse development.

The family experienced a heartbreaking loss in 1987 with the passing of their granddaughter, Ivy. In time, Jay and Mae to purchase a home on Lake Miltona, where they found comfort and created new memories. Family and friends also enjoyed spending lake time there, including many shore side bonfires and fish fries, swimming, water skiing and fishing during the summer and snowmobiling and ice fishing in the winter. After retiring from construction, he worked at ProFab, Lake Carlos State Park and Alexandria Golf Course. He was also on the Leaf Valley Township Board for several years.

Jay and Mae enjoyed some traveling, which was most often to a state Linda was living. There were also some snowmobiling trips, fishing trips and ocean side adventures. Other than fishing and hunting, Jay’s interests included golfing, bowling, gardening and always family.

The couple moved to a townhouse in Miltona, to finally retire. They quickly became a welcoming presence in the neighborhood and for more than a decade, their driveway was a favorite gathering place for neighbors and friends. They were especially happy to have Linda move to Miltona and have their “kids” back in one state.

Their last move was a result of declining health. Jay and Mae moved to Knute Nelson where they made a home for 4 years. They continued their hospitality and befriended many staff and people who resided there. Jay fed popcorn to the crows and they watched birds at the feeder.

When the love of his life, Mae, passed in March of 2026, he was heartbroken. He still carried his sarcastic wit, sense of humor and humble gratitude but he wanted to go with her and he did.

Jay will be remembered for his love of family, his hard work, his sense of humor, his enthusiasm for outdoors, and the many memories he created. Jay adored his grandchildren and they knew it. He enjoyed teaching them life skills especially fishing and woodworking. He was thrilled to see his great grandchildren as well. They will remember him for wheelchair rides, candy, teasing, jokes and hugs.

Jay M Baldwin passed away on August 10, 2026, at the Knute Nelson Care Center, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his children, Pamela (Joel) Kamholz of Alexandria, and Keith (Kate) Baldwin of Duluth, MN; grandchildren, Seth (Tammy) Sundgaard, Calcie (Letina) Sundgaard, and Dakota Baldwin; great-grandchildren, Skylar Arnold, Ivy Sundgaard, Leroy and Abel Wiggins. Jay is preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, his parents; daughter, Linda Stevens, grandchildren, Ivy Linda Marie Sundgaard and Dulcie Mae Marie Sundgaard.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Knute Nelson Care Center, and Hospice of Douglas County. We also thank Elder Network for connecting Jay with Ralph who shared stories and friendship.