Joan Baker

1942 - 2010

Joan Baker, 68, of Homedale passed away on Nov. 10, 2010 of natural causes.
She was born April 4, 1942 in Weippe to Myrtle and Burton Snyder. Her mother passed away during childbirth and Joan was raised by her father and her step mother Viola, who had two children from a previous marriage. They added two more, for a total of five children.
Joan grew up in the Weippe area. She met and later married Vance Baker on Dec. 31, 1959. They raised six children and later divorced. In 1975 she drove the Alaskan Alcan Highway with her six children and two dogs to join her husband, Vance, in Alaska where he was working. Once in Alaska, she continued her education in cosmetology to become a hair stylist, which she did for many years. She then received her associate's degree in accounting, and went to work in the financial industry. Towards the end of her working career she worked in customs, for Federal Express, at Anchorage International Airport.
Joan enjoyed hunting, camping and fishing with her family. She was especially fond of camping in the Chitna area in Alaska. Her hobbies were knitting and crocheting. As an avid reader she often had two or three books going at once.
She retired to Kamiah where she lived until moving to Homedale to be close to family. She lived in the senior community, and then moved to Owyhee Health and Rehabilitation as her health failed.
Joan is survived by her three daughters; Cheryl Benson of Anchorage, Alaska, Patti Strietzel of Bonney Lake, Wash., Camille Carreon of Boerne, Texas; three sons, Mike Baker of Marsing, Kevin Baker of San Antonio, Texas, and Gary Baker of Anchorage, Alaska; a brother, Art Snyder of Stites, seven grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. Preceding her in death were her parents, Burton and Viola, her sisters, Mary Ann Aikens and Anne Steadman and a brother, Sonny Cooper.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19, 2010 at the Owyhee Health and Rehabilitation Center (108 W. Owyhee Ave. Homedale).
Memorials may be made to Owyhee Health and Rehabilitation Center in Homedale.