Randall Ward Baker

Randall “Randy” Ward Baker, 70, of Shell Lake, WI went to his forever home with Jesus on Thursday, September, 19, 2019 as a result of a massive heart attack.

Randy was born on October 26, 1948 to Verne and Oline (Boe) Baker in Sioux Falls, SD.  After graduating from Dakota State in Madison, SD in 1970, Randy proudly served his country in The US Army for 15 months.  After his honorable discharge, he began his career with Western/Delta Airlines in 1972 as a customer service agent, working mostly in Sioux Falls, Minneapolis, and Salt Lake City.  In the early years, he met and married the love of his life, Rita Halverson, of Somerset, WI on April 6, 1974.  In 2003 Randy took an early retirement opportunity to fulfill his dream of living and teaching English in Thailand.  He and Rita spent 17 months teaching and making lasting friendships amongst the Thai people. 

Upon retiring from Thailand they settled in Shell Lake, WI where Randy enjoyed many hours of fishing, walking his dog Max, and getting involved with his beloved church family of Spooner Wesleyan Church in Spooner, WI.

Randy is survived by Rita his wife of 45 years, his son LTC Christopher (Sarah) Baker of Pinehurst, NC and his daughter Lauren (Timothy) Garcia of Salt Lake City.  Also survived by four grandchildren, Nathan, William and Vivian Baker, Alexus (Garcia), and great-grandchild Creed Garcia, and a sister Cheryl Hubans of Mesa, AZ, and many nieces and nephews.  Randy also had a special bond with his in-laws, Carol and Barry Stockwell, Harvey and Karla Halverson, and Glenn and Karen Nerby.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jim, and a baby daughter Gretchen.

A Celebration of life will be held for Randy on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Ron Gormong officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment with full military honors will be on Monday, September 30, 2019, at 1:00 PM, at The Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.  Memorials preferred to; “The Light Center”, please make checks payable to Cord Ministries with The Light Center in the Memo line, PO Box 102, Wheaton, IL 60187-0102, thelightcenterthailand.com.  Arrangements were entrusted to The Spooner Funeral Home.  

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