Full History
The history of Baker Funeral Home began with a gentleman named Otto Egge, who was employed as a salesman in a furniture store in Minot, North Dakota. The company was located next door to a mortician who influenced his life immensely. Otto visited with him quite often and observed many daily activities that were involved in the funeral home business. Because of the drought that lasted seven years, Otto quit his job and came back to Mayville, with the decision already made to go into the funeral business.
Otto had attended Mayville Teachers College for almost four years before going to Minot; he had enough credits to transfer and attend the University of Minnesota College of Mortuary Science for only one year before receiving his diploma. He served as an apprentice for one year. In the fall of 1931, Otto purchased the building and opened Egge Funeral Home with his son, Karsten.
The funeral home operated in a location next to the furniture store until 1938 when it was moved to its present site. Otto Egge retired in 1940,and the funeral business was purchased by Karsten Egge. In 1956, the building was remodeled to include more space and better meet the needs of families.
John Baker joined Egge Funeral Home in the summer of 1952, and in 1962, John Baker became a partner in the Egge Funeral Home with Karsten.
Aside from the funeral service, the partnership also operated an ambulance service. A combination Cadillac Ambulance and a Ford Station Wagon were both purchased in 1961, rendering 24-hour service to the entire community.
In 1967, John Baker became the sole owner of Egge Funeral Home, at which time he renamed it Baker Funeral Home. John’s son, Steve, was associated with the firm in 1976. Steve owned and operated the Baker Funeral Home from June 1984 through December 1995, and in 1989, Mr. Baker attached a chapel to the main building.
In 1996, Steve Baker partnered with the Vertin family. This cooperative venture was aimed at continuing the Baker tradition of personalized, professional service that families came to expect.
