Donald Baker

Don Baker lived 87 years of an extraordinary life, punctuated by moments that illustrate his strong character and humorous nature. He grew up on a farm outside of Emerson, IA with parents, Vernon and Marie Baker, and younger brothers, Wayne and Darrell. As the oldest child, he often helped his parents with the many daily duties and chores of farming. As a child, one of his chores was to pump water to fill the reservoir in the coal and wood burning stove in the kitchen. The hand pump from the old farm is now in the front of his home in Omaha.

Don went on to college at University of Iowa and Iowa State University where he graduated with an Ag Ed degree. He later went on to earn a Master’s Degree as it was required to continue working for Iowa State University Extension. He also served in the National Guard in the 1960s. His career as County Extension Director would take the family to Oakland, IA, in 1969 and he continued to serve as East Pottawattamie County Extension Director until he retired in 1998. One of Don’s favorite parts of the job was working with 4-H kids. In his youth he was active in 4-H and enjoyed showing cattle. He often said the most meaningful part of his career was seeing young people develop and become contributing members of society as well as future leaders in 4-H.

Don had three children - Phil, Steve and Susan. He was married to his current wife, Jean, for 38+ years and gained two bonus children, Rick Courtier and Ann Courtier, through this marriage. Don and Jean both graduated from the Emerson, IA class of ’54. As they each told the story, they had one date in high school but neither can remember why they didn’t have a second date.  They met again at the alumni banquet in Emerson 30 years later and married on April 6, 1985. Together, Don and Jean had ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Don began going to church in college and continued for many years, raising his children in the Lutheran church in Oakland. He recalls the day his faith became personal to him was the day a delivery driver made a comment about accepting Jesus Christ as his personal savior. Don decided right then and there that was what a person needed to to do to really call themselves a Christian. Don went on to do the weekly readings at his church in Omaha and often gave the sermon as well. Don’s faith never wavered.

No story about Don’s life would be complete without a fishing tale or two. Don learned to fish with his father in the cricks of Iowa. He started going to Canada to fish in 1982. Over the years, the annual fishing trip to Canada became biannual and included his brothers, sons, nephews, grandson and friend, Corey. He also enjoyed going to Missouri to fish with his brother, Darrell. Don bought a small boat in 1993 and did some local fishing on Viking Lake and Fremont lakes. He talked about being most at peace when he was fishing. Over the past ten years he would often say, “this is probably my last fishing trip to Canada.” But then he immediately began planning his next fishing trip to Canada.

Don enjoyed cooking, especially if it involved fish he caught. He was a good baker and just recently perfected his recipe for Carmel rolls. He was an avid reader, gardener, and enjoyed the daily crossword puzzles and Wordle. He loved playing cards and checkers as well. He watched sports on TV, especially when Iowa State played. 

Don was known for his quick wit and humor. He always had a joke ready to tell for any occasion. He read once that humor did a lot to relieve stress. So in the last few years of his career he started emailing his staff weekly with “The Mental Health Minute” which was almost entirely jokes. Don always knew how to make people laugh. 

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Marie Baker, his brothers, Wayne and Darrell Baker, and stepchildren Rick and Ann Courtier.  He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Jean Baker, and children Phillip Baker of Fort Mill, South Carolina, Steven Baker of Excelsior, MN, Susan Conyers and her husband, Larry Conyers, of Marietta, GA, as well as ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

A visitation and viewing for Don will be held Saturday, March 23, from 6-8 p.m. at Good Shepherd Funeral Home, 3809 N 90th St, Omaha, NE 68134.