Anne Baker, 86

Anne Louise Baker, age 86 of Mendon, died Tuesday Jan. 18, 2011 at the Chelsea Retirement Community, Towsley Village in Chelsea, MI surrounded by her family. She was born in Kalamazoo on June 5, 1924 the daughter of the late Herbert and Mary (Vyverman) Schmitt. Anne graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1941 which was responsible for composing the Mendon High School fight song. She was married to Ernest LaVern Baker on July 12, 1941 in Mendon. They made their home just two miles from her childhood home south of Mendon. She was a homemaker and most importantly, mother to eight children.

Anne was an avid gardener, and enjoyed creating and exhibiting flower arrangements at the St. Joseph County Fair. She was a member of the Prairie Corners Social Club and befriended many people in the Amish community. Anne was a member of St. Edward Catholic Church where she was an active member of the Altar Society, served as a Lector, Eucharistic minister, and sang in the choir. Anne and her husband, Ernie enjoyed traveling to many places in their retirement years. While living at Towsley Village she was known as the Queen of the Jig-Saw Puzzle Mastery.

Anne is survived by six children, Sandra (David) Millar of Dexter, MI, Norma Ferguson of Deerfield Beach, FL, Joy (Paul) Prey of Plymouth, MI, Timothy (Christine) Baker of Constantine, MI, Joseph Baker of Mendon, and Teresa Baker of Kalamazoo; fourteen grandchildren, Kim Condon, Michelle Hughes, Jesslyn TerBurgh, Allison Braden, Laurie Norman, Julia Fariello, Christopher Prey, Anthony Prey, Jennifer Bruder, Gwendolyn Mills, Austin Baker, Aaron Baker, Andria Baker, and Brian Baker; twelve great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernie in 2003; son, Thomas in 1958; daughter, Janice Seiler in 2009; and brother, Clement Schmitt in 1983.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon, and where the Rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. The funeral mass for Anne Baker will be 11 a.m. Monday Jan. 24, 2011 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Mendon where Revs. Father Jim VinhLe and Father Mark Vyverman will concelebrate. Burial will follow in St. Edward Cemetery. An online register is available at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com. Anne’s grandson, Aaron Baker is running in a marathon on May 8, 2011 to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research. To donate in memory of Anne you may go to Aaron’s webpage at: www.alz.kintera.org/sportingevents/runningtoremember