Shirley Baker, age 79, of Cambridge and formerly of Bethel, died August 11, 2012 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, August 16th at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel with Rev. James McChesney officiating. A visitation will be held from 4:00 -8:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 15th also at our Cambridge Chapel. The visitation will continue one hour prior to the service Thursday. Interment will be in Oak Leaf Cemetery in East Bethel.
Shirley Marie Baker was born February 26, 1933 in Cedar, Minnesota (Bethel Township) to Abel and Edna (Day) Johnson. She grew up in the Cedar area and graduated from St. Francis High School in 1951. On March 3, 1956 Shirley was united in marriage to Melvin Baker at Cambridge. She worked for the Minnesota Highway Department for 5 years and then as a cook at the Bethel Elementary School. Shirley became the Cafeteria Manager and retired after 25 years of service to the St. Francis School District.
She liked to cook, bake, garden, fish, play cribbage, shop at Wal-Mart, work on word-finds and watch Wheel of Fortune. She loved taking care of her grandchildren and making them, and other family and friends, lunches and dinners. Shirley wouldn’t miss a single opportunity to cheer on grandkids and great-grandkids at their sporting activities. She was also very active volunteering at West Bethel United Methodist Church and was also active in Oldtine Bethel Ladies. She was an original church basement lady!
Shirley Baker passed away August 11, 2012 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital at the age of 79 years, 5 months and 16 days. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her brother, Lloyd, and a niece, Linda.
Shirley will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Mel; three children, Susan Baker (Jim) of Cedar, Sharon Bartnick of Cambridge, and David (Pam) Baker of Baudette; two grandchildren, Johnnie (Amanda) Bartnick of Cambridge, and Tami (Jeff) Weinman of Blaine; two great-grandsons, Blake and Carter Bartnick; and by many other relatives and friends.
Our deepest sympathies to Mel and family. We are so sorry for your loss. Shirley will be greatly missed by many of us in the neighborhood.
Sincerely, Bill and Mary Kay O’Neill
I am deeply sorry to learn of Shirley. I deliver newspapers to her parents home from age 6 years old to 14 years old. On Saturday, in the cold winter she would have fresh baked hot bread and butter for me.She had a great sense of laughter and fun. When she worked at Bud Soderstrom grocery store, it was hangout for all the kids in Bethel because of her interest in all of us. She was truly a great person, and I know how much she will be missed.