Erland Henry Baesler

Erland (Earl) Henry Baesler, 88 of Russellville, Arkansas, was called to be with his eternal father on Monday, December 11, 2023. 

Earl was born the youngest of four children in the small town of Hebron, North Dakota on June 15, 1935 of Russian-German parents, Gottfried and Pauline Baesler. Earl was an independent youngster growing up, hunting and fishing in the neighboring territory by himself. He was also industrious and adventurous, buying a Harley Davidson Motorcycle, which he later rode with friends to California and back, as well as race his "hudson" car on the highways, and woo his future wife, Juanita, by picking her up for a date in his private plane, which he would land across from her family farm in the nearby town of Richardton. 

In 1954, Earl traveled to Lincoln Aviation Institute in Nebraska, spending two years there to obtain his Aircraft and Engine License before traveling to Seattle, Washington, to work for Boeing Aircraft.  Upon returning to North Dakota, he found his sweetheart waiting for him (they had been corresponding all the while). They drove to California where they were married in 1957.  He worked briefly at the Oakland Airport before landing a job at Lockheed Missile and Space Company.  Their newly married life was interrupted when he was drafted into the Army, in 1959.  He received basic training in Fort Riley, Kansas, education in electronics school in New Jersey and underwent training with a special operation unit in Huntsville, Alabama, before being stationed in Germany where their first child, Erland James was born.

Upon returning to California, Earl continued his career at Lockheed. His daughter, Audrey was born, before relocating to Sunnyvale, where his second son, Leland was born.  He then moved to San Jose to accommodate his growing family in a larger home within walking distance of Holy Family Parish.  Earl was a dedicated and hard-working employee at Lockheed, working his way up to Supervisor and ultimately spending 36 years with the company.  During this time, he advanced his education by attending De Anza College and obtaining a Supervisor and Quality Engineering license from Santa Clara University, and later his Business Management degree from California Coast University. 

Earl loved the challenges and natural landscapes of the links so much that one could find him most weekends of the year golfing.  He earned several golf trophies, including three "hole in ones".  He also enjoyed fishing off the coast of Monterey Bay, pulling in a 36 pound ling cod on one occasion, as well as fishing and golfing on yearly family trips to North Dakota to visit family.  After retiring from Lockheed in 1992, Earl and his wife moved to Louisiana where his brother resided.  He remained there for 17 years before moving to Russellville, Arkansas in 2009, to be closer to his daughter and family. 

A devoted Catholic, Earl is preceded in death by his loving wife, Juanita; parents and two sisters, Bertha Bozic and Elsi Bernack.  
 
Earl was laid to rest at a private service, in Rest Haven Memorial Park.  Arrangements are under the direction of Russellville Family Funeral.  Obituary and online guestbook are available at www.russellvillefamilyfuneral.com.

Earl wanted us to know that ",...All the pain and grief is over. Every restless tossing passed; I am now at peace forever, safely home in Heaven at last..."