Roman F. Baker

1918 - 2017

Baker, Roman F.

Roman F. Baker, 98, died Friday, November 17, 2017 at the Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac.

He was born December 16, 1918, in Stevens Point, WI, the son of August and Martha (Daczyk) Baker.

On June 23, 1945, he married Coyla M. Mead in Beloit, WI. After her passing in 1984, he spent winters in Texas, and became a Texas resident. He married Ann Radtke on June 30, 1989, living in Harlingen, then Donna, Texas, and residing during summer months in Fountain, MI. In the summer of 2016, he chose to give up driving and move back to Wisconsin where he resided with his daughter LuAnn in Fond du Lac.

Following graduation from P.J. Jacobs High School, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) for 13 months. He then attended UW-Stevens Point for 2 years. After taking a semester off to work, he enrolled at UW-Whitewater graduating in 1942 with a Business Education degree.

He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving for 3 ½ years during World War II. During his service he attended Communications School at Harvard University, and achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

He obtained a Master's degree in Business Education from the University of Iowa and taught Business Education 6 years in New Richmond, WI. After the passing of his father-in-law in 1952, moved to the Mead family farm outside of Beloit where he farmed along with teaching Business Education in Durand, Illinois. In 1968, the family moved off the farm and resided in Brodhead. He continued teaching in Durand, IL for a total of 26 ½ years—8 of the years serving as half time principal and half time teacher—retiring in December 1978.

Throughout his life he excelled in sports, participating in boxing, hockey, baseball, football, golf, and bowling. He also enjoyed watching sports, especially the Wisconsin Badgers, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Green Bay Packers. He was an avid card player with Bridge being his favorite.

Roman is survived by his wife, Ann Radtke, Grand Rapids, MI; sons, Robert R. (Julie) Baker of Oakfield, WI, Stephen J. Baker of Brodhead, WI; daughters, LuAnn L. Baker of Fond du Lac, WI, Mary K. Baker of Campbellsport, WI; four granddaughters, Shelly (Greg) Kottke, Oakfield, WI, Melissa Baker, Oakfield, WI, Mickey (Nate) Oechsner, Brownsville, WI, Bobbie (Cory) Immel, Oakfield, WI, and great grandchildren, Megan, Marissa, and Miranda Kottke, Evan Immel, and step granddaughter Natalie Oechsner.

In addition to his parents, and first wife, he was preceded in death by nine siblings.

VISITATION: Friends may call on Wednesday, November 22, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Sacred Heart Church of Holy Family Parish, 232 South Peters Avenue, Fond du Lac.

FUNERAL: Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 22, at 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church of Holy Family Parish.

Burial will take place at a later date at Newark Cemetery, in Town of Newark

Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory is serving the family, www.kurkimachfuneralchapel.com. 920-921-4420

The family thanks the staff and volunteers at Agnesian Hospice Home of Hope for their compassionate care over the last several months.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Agnesian Hospice Home of Hope.