Mary Jo Kilde

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary “Jo” Baker Kilde, 94, of West Battle Lake, on January 22, 2025.

Jo was born January 20, 1931, in Fergus Falls, to Roy A. and Inez L. (Engel) Baker. She graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1949 and Fairview School of Nursing, Minneapolis, with her RN in 1952. She married Loren (Bud) Kilde November 1, 1952 and joined him in his travels with the Air Force. Jo worked in hospitals in San Angelo, TX, Biloxi, MS, Fergus Falls Lake Region Hospital and later at the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center. She enjoyed Air Force life and traveling with family.

Jo and Bud had three children, Judy, Sue and Dave who traveled everywhere with them. When Bud was medically discharged in 1970 the family moved back to Fergus Falls. After Bud passed away in 1971, Jo continued to raise her children, built a home and moved to West Battle Lake, went back to school for about 3 years and then finished her working career at the Regional Treatment Center.

An excellent cook, she was known for her fudge and cinnamon rolls among many other things. Jo was a world class lover of all animals, especially cats and dogs. Her other interests included singing, gardening, reading, sewing, crossword puzzles and sudoku, painting and, later in life, adult coloring books. She was a notorious tree lover and considered any MN sports team to be “her boys”.

Jo will be dearly missed by her daughters, Judy Kilde and Sue Kilde, both of Fergus Falls; grandchildren, Matthew (Dana) Kilde of Rathdrum, ID, Joshua Kilde and Jeremy (Sarah) Kilde of the Twin Cities, MN; great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Alexis (Israel Fellows), Caleb, Lucas, Jackson and Marcus Kilde of Rathdrum, ID, Sophia and Dawson Kilde of the Twin Citites, MN; brother and sister-in-law, John and Jan Kilde, and sister-in-law, LaVonne Baker, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Bud Kilde; son, David Kilde; parents, Roy and Inez Baker; siblings, Helen (Baker) Lund, Katherine Baker, Jean (Baker) Bassett, Robert Baker; brothers-in-law, Bennie Lund and LeRoy Bassett and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Blessed be the memory of Jo Kilde.

The family prefers memorials be given to The Alzheimer’s Association. 

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 3, 2025 at Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls, with visitation one-hour prior to the service.

Clergy: Reverend David Strom

Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com