Dortha Baker

Northa Baker, Mrs. Baker, to her students, passed away Sunday, January 9, in Roseville after a brief illness. She was 97. Dortha was the daughter of Arthur and Amy Stineman, a pioneer family of Wheatland. She was born December 3, 1913 in Sacramento. She spent almost her entire life in Wheatland. She attended Wheatland schools then graduated from Chico Normal Teacher's College, now California State University at Chico. She taught school briefly in Sutter and Sheridan, but for the most part spent her thirty-five years teaching in the Wheatland Elementary School. She was much beloved by her family and community and will be fondly remembered for her kind and gentle manner by all her former students. She was a life-long member of Grace Episcopal Church and took on the responsibility of overseeing the use of Pioneer Hall for the Church Guild for twenty years. She was a member of Eastern Star, Wheatland Chapter #48, where she received her 50 year pin. She was a charter member of Marysville Assembly International Order of Rainbow for Girls. She was a steadfast member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West and in 1977 she was honored as "Alumni of the Year" by Wheatland Union High School. She is survived by a daughter, Verna Mueller of Arlington, Texas; and granddaughters Stephanie Silver also of Arlington, and Debi McMichael of Austin, Texas; three great- grandchildren: Nicole, Dylan, and Zoe Silver of Arlington, Texas. She is predeceased by her high school sweetheart and husband of many years, Vernon E. Baker; a son, Eddie Baker; and a brother, Chester W. Stineman, all of Wheatland. Viewing will be held at Ullrey Memorial Chapel, 817 Almond Street, Yuba City, from 4-7 on Thursday, January 13. There will be graveside services at Wheatland Cemetery at 11:00 on Friday, January 14. The family asks that remembrances be sent to Pioneer Hall or Grace Episcopal Church in Wheatland, PO Box 634, Wheatland, CA 95692. Send Condolences at www.appealdemocrat.com