Earl William Baker, age 84, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, May 31, 2009 in Kalispell, Montana.
Earl was born December 1, 1924 to George and Loretta Baker. Earl was raised in the Mineral Bench area north of Poplar, MT with his 5 brothers and sisters. He graduated from Poplar High School in 1924 and joined the U.S. Army where he served his country during World War II. He met and married Doretta Anne Baker on April 11, 1950. Together they had two children, a son, Darrel and a daughter, Karen. Doretta passed away in July 1972. Earl married Delores (Tootie) Baker on April 6, 1974 and they shared 35 wonderful years together, working, traveling and enjoying their lives together.
Earl was an electrician and a farmer and lived in Poplar until his retirement in 1994 when they moved to Columbia Falls, MT. Earl had a zest for life and when he wasn’t wiring a house or seeding a field, he loved working and playing with his horses. He was an avid hunter and always enjoyed a good fishing trip. He and Tootie often went on trail rides and could be found at the Miles City Bucking Horse sale or pulling Santa in their sleigh with their Belgium horses for the children in Poplar.
Earl is survived by his wife, Delores; daughter, Karen (Chuck) Dixon of Missoula; daughter-in-law Barbara Baker (son Darrel preceded him in death 1 year ago) of Kalispell, MT; 4 grandchildren Krisha (Larry) Ross of Anchorage, AK, David Dixon of Missoula, MT, Ashley Baker of Kalispell, MT and Samantha Clark of Poplar, MT; 5 great-grandchildren, Jordan Raymi and Kelsey Ross and Brody and Cody Dixon.
Earl was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
A Vigil Service will be said on Friday, June 5, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point, MT. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday June 6, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar, MT. Interment will follow at Poplar City Cemetery with a luncheon to follow. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.