Doug Lee Baker

Douglas Lee Baker, "Bumpa", age 91 of Blanchardville died on Tuesday morning, September 6, 2011 at the Upland Hills Nursing & Rehab Center in Dodgeville. Doug was born in the Blanchardville area on October 24, 1919 to Dwight and Doris (Parkinson) Baker. He attended school in Blanchardville, and graduated from the Blanchardville High School in 1938. He never missed a Blanchardville Homecoming. In September of 1938 Doug's dad died suddenly and Doug continued to run the family farm and also took over caring for his ailing mother until her death in 1947. Doug was so proud of his siblings, and his siblings were so proud of him for the work he did. He was married on June 20, 1951 in the Perry Lutheran Church to Irene Weck. Doug and Irene farmed together on the family farm in Moscow Township, Iowa County. Doug loved baseball, storytelling, visiting with people, watching his grandchildren in sports, playing baseball and football in high school, and home talent baseball to name a few things. He served on the Blanchardville School Board, the Moscow Town Board, and was a member of the Holstein Association. He was honored to be given an honorary FFA Chapter Degree, and to be named as the oldest Green County dairy couple. Doug was a member of the Blanchardville United Methodist Church.

Doug is survived by his wife of 60 years, Irene Baker of Blanchardville; three daughters, Barbara (Tim) Ryan of Blanchardville, Bonnie (Mark) Hodgson of Barneveld, and Blanche (Don) Vlasak of Blanchardville; nine grandchildren, Paula (Craig) Schuette, Brenda (Casey) Kite, Sara (Travis) Erickson, Heidi, William and Inger Hodgson, and Vance, Lee and Holly Vlasak; six great-grandchildren, Regan, Faye, Tatum, Quinten, Elliot and Tenley; two sisters-in-law, Dovie Baker of Wonewoc and Shirley Baker of Blackfoot, Idaho; and two brothers-in-law, Bob (Vicki) Weck and Ted Theobald of Barneveld. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Dr. F. W. Baker; a sister Marion Baker Smyth Noble; a brother, Dr. Homer Baker; an infant brother Prentice; his mother and father in-law, Vernell & Clara Weck; and his sister-in-law Ann Theobald.

Funeral services for Doug Baker will be held on Monday, September 12, 2011 at 12:00 PM at the Blanchardville United Methodist Church. Family friend Karl Gant will officiate. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery in Blanchardville. Friends may call at the Blanchardville United Methodist Church on Sunday, September 11, 2011 from 2:00 until 7:00 PM. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com. The family would like to thank Dr. Beasley for Doug's medical care the past 10 years. Thank you also to Uplands Hills Nursing & Rehab in Dodgeville for the wonderful tender loving care.

Douglas Lee Baker, "Bumpa", age 91 of Blanchardville died on Tuesday morning, September 6, 2011 at the Upland Hills Nursing & Rehab Center in Dodgeville. Doug was born in the Blanchardville area on October 24, 1919 to Dwight and Doris (Parkinson) Baker. He attended school in Blanchardville, and graduated from the Blanchardville High School in 1938. He never missed a Blanchardville Homecoming. In September of 1938 Doug's dad died suddenly and Doug continued to run the family farm and also took over caring for his ailing mother until her death in 1947. Doug was so proud of his siblings, and his siblings were so proud of him for the work he did. He was married on June 20, 1951 in the Perry Lutheran Church to Irene Weck. Doug and Irene farmed together on the family farm in Moscow Township, Iowa County. Doug loved baseball, storytelling, visiting with people, watching his grandchildren in sports, playing baseball and football in high school, and home talent baseball to name a few things. He served on the Blanchardville School Board, the Moscow Town Board, and was a member of the Holstein Association. He was honored to be given an honorary FFA Chapter Degree, and to be named as the oldest Green County dairy couple. Doug was a member of the Blanchardville United Methodist Church.

Doug is survived by his wife of 60 years, Irene Baker of Blanchardville; three daughters, Barbara (Tim) Ryan of Blanchardville, Bonnie (Mark) Hodgson of Barneveld, and Blanche (Don) Vlasak of Blanchardville; nine grandchildren, Paula (Craig) Schuette, Brenda (Casey) Kite, Sara (Travis) Erickson, Heidi, William and Inger Hodgson, and Vance, Lee and Holly Vlasak; six great-grandchildren, Regan, Faye, Tatum, Quinten, Elliot and Tenley; two sisters-in-law, Dovie Baker of Wonewoc and Shirley Baker of Blackfoot, Idaho; and two brothers-in-law, Bob (Vicki) Weck and Ted Theobald of Barneveld. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Dr. F. W. Baker; a sister Marion Baker Smyth Noble; a brother, Dr. Homer Baker; an infant brother Prentice; his mother and father in-law, Vernell & Clara Weck; and his sister-in-law Ann Theobald.

Funeral services for Doug Baker will be held on Monday, September 12, 2011 at 12:00 PM at the Blanchardville United Methodist Church. Family friend Karl Gant will officiate. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery in Blanchardville. Friends may call at the Blanchardville United Methodist Church on Sunday, September 11, 2011 from 2:00 until 7:00 PM. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com. The family would like to thank Dr. Beasley for Doug's medical care the past 10 years. Thank you also to Uplands Hills Nursing & Rehab in Dodgeville for the wonderful tender loving care.