Alexander Baard Obituary

Alexander Francois ("Frank" or "Alex") Baard passed away on February 8, 1964, in Canova, South Dakota, at the age of 65.

Born on April 12, 1898, in the Friesland province of the Netherlands, Alexander received a common school education and also attended a mechanics school before emigrating to the United States in May of 1916.

At just 18 years of age he courageously made the transatlantic journey alone aboard the steamship "New Amsterdam" departing from Rotterdam and arriving at Ellis Island before settling in northeastern South Dakota. He was sponsored by his older siblings, Wolter Baard and Sophie (Baard) Van Dorp, who had immigrated a few years earlier.

Upon arrival, Alexander worked as a farm laborer near Milbank.

His older brother Wolter Baard was truly his best friend and endeavored to genuinely support Alexander in establishing a new life in the Milbank area.

On May 19,1920, Alexander married Hannah Green, the daughter of South Dakota German immigrant farmers John and Maggie Green. The couple made their home on a rented farmstead in northeastern South Dakota near Milbank, and welcomed their son, Robert William Baard, on April 22, 1926. They were married in the Presbyterian Church in Twin Brooks, where their son was also baptized.

Raised in boyhood in the Dutch Reform Church, Alexander remained interested in spiritual matters throughout his life. Before his chronic illness settled in after his son was born (and took its severe toll on his mental health) he was especially interested in regular reading of the Bible, with a particular fondness for the Old Testament.

In December 1927, Alexander was admitted to Yankton State Hospital due to a later in life onset of schizophrenia. He remained a patient there for nearly 34 years. After his discharge in December of 1961, with the help of newly available psychotropic medications, he was transferred and resided at Resthaven Nursing Home in Canova, South Dakota until his death.

Due to the challenging and difficult circumstances at the time of his death, no service was held at his burial in February 1964 and his gravesite remained unmarked for decades. A memorial monument, designed by Shafer Memorials in Mitchell, South Dakota, was recently placed on his gravesite in November of 2024.

A graveside memorial service led by family members will be held on Saturday June 28, 2025, 1:30 PM at the Canova Community Cemetery, one mile northeast of Canova, Miner County, South Dakota.

May the memory of Alexander Frank Baard bring comfort and deep peace to those who knew him and a heartfelt extension of sincere gratitude to all those, both in Friesland, the Netherlands and in South Dakota, who loved him and cared for him so faithfully across all the years of his life.