Bernice C. Baker

Teasdale, Utah - Bernice Coombs Baker, age 95, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2008 in Gunnison, Utah, in the presence of her three children. She was born February 19, 1913, a daughter of George Lewis and Mae Williams Coombs in Teasdale, Utah, where she spent her entire life. She attended Wayne High School, Utah State Agricultural College and worked as a clerk at Coombs Mercantile. She married Carlyle Baker in Richfield, Utah April 4,1933 and balanced her family life raising three children, Lorraine, Rodney and Stanford (Stew) during the school year in Teasdale and working on the Baker cattle ranch during the summer months. Bernice took great pride in feeding and taking care of her family and hired hands on the ranch. Carlyle died March 6, 1976. Their marriage was solemnized in the Toronto LDS Temple. Bernice was very active in the LDS Relief Society, Utah Cowgirls and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She will be remembered by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, in part, for her art and expertise in handmade quilts, a hobby that she enjoyed, was awarded for and pursued her whole life. She will be remembered in whole for having a strong sense of humor, strength and character and was truly a kind and enjoyable person to know. Bernice is survived by her three children: Lorraine and Perry Driggs of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Rodney C. and Ann B. Baker of Jackson, Mississippi; Stanford (Stew) Baker of Dougway Proving Ground, Utah; 5 grandchildren: Lori and Kirk Candland, Joseph and Ann Milne, Suzanne Milne, Robert Baker, Paul and Laura Baker; 6 great-grandchildren: Christopher, Courtney and Kate Candland; Alix Milne; Lily Wainiu and Leo Baker; brother and sister: Guy L. and Phyllis Coombs; Barbara and Guy Pace, all of Teasdale. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Lorea and Elmo T. Hall. Bernice’s family extends their heart-felt appreciation to hospice care workers, Connie Durfey, Teri Leavit and Tasha Birch, for the incredible care and compassion they provided during the last years of Bernice’s life. We also thank her extended family in Teasdale who gave many hours of much appreciated care. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 1:00 P.M. in the Teasdale Cultural Hall, where friends may visit with the family from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Teasdale Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral of Richfield, Salina and Gunnison, Utah. In lieu of flowers, her family respectfully requests that donations in the name of Bernice Baker be made to The Gunnison Valley Hospice, P.O. Box 759, Gunnison, Utah 84643, and/or The Perpetual Education Fund (The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints) 50 East North Temple -8th Floor, Salt Lake City, UT. 84150-1501.