Debra Kaye Baker

Debra Baker, 70, of Mt. Vernon, SD, passed away Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at her home in Mt. Vernon. Funeral Mass will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday, January 27, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Mt. Vernon. Visitation will be Monday from 5-7:00 PM at the Church with a 6:30 PM prayer service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Debra Kaye Baker was born on April 1st, 1955, in Mitchell to Dirk and Ann (VanNoort) Overweg. She grew up in Mt. Vernon and graduated from Mt.Vernon High School in 1973. Deb met the love of her life, Ronald Baker, and married on March 15th, 1974. Together, they raised their three children on the farm west of Mt. Vernon. Deb quickly learned the ropes of farm life and hunting adventures. Growing up with two sisters and in town, this was a big change for her. She grew to love the value of farm life and the legacy it carries. Deb was not afraid of hard work. She helped Ron many times with lambing, calving, field work and later melons. While her children were young, she worked from home decorating cakes for many occasions. Once her children reached middle school age, she started as a CNA at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital on the OB unit and later at Avera Brady Assisted Living. She was proud to work for Avera for 20 years.

Deb spent many hours cross-stitching, making special gifts for family, friends and loved ones. Deb's two sisters were not only her sisters, but her best friends. Many memories were made traveling together as just "the three sisters" and also at times with their spouses. Deb had a great commitment to her family, her friends, her community, and her church. She taught God first, family second, and the rest will fall into place. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. "You are my sunshine" was her favorite song to sing to them. Seeing the excitement on her face as she heard the news that she was soon to be a great-grandmother is a moment each of us will treasure forever, no greater gift than the gift of new life.

Not only was Deb a mother to her three children, she was also a mother figure to those close to her that lost their own mothers early in adult life. She loved each of them like her own.

She was a member of St. Michael and St. John Catholic Parishes most of her married life. Always volunteering for whatever was needed within the church. After the passing of Ron, she joined Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell. She wasted no time in becoming active with her new church community. She felt at home seeing many familiar faces from Mt. Vernon and Plankinton.

Losing her beloved husband on July 29th, 2022, was one of the hardest moments of her life. In those three years since Ron's passing, we all witnessed a part of Deb leave as well. In that time of sadness, she found great strength through Catholic Daughters of America, which she was a member for many years, and comfort during her time spent in Adoration each week. Her faith and love for Jesus was evident to us all. She was blessed with many great friends and neighbors who supported her.

Deb is survived by her three children: Matthew (Jolene) Baker and their children: Anna (Brady) Andersen (and great-grand baby due in June), Emily, and Zach (Vanessa Hoffman); Kyle (Ashley) Baker and their children: Hallie and Hudson; Kelly (Kenneth) Glanzer and their children: Corbin, Carter, and Clara; two sisters, Jan (Glenn) Lambert and Julie (James) Newton; and three brothers-in-law, Dean Baker, Duane (Nan) Baker, and Larry (Cheryl) Baker.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald, parents, Dirk and Ann Overweg, father and mother-in-law, Don and Clara Baker, and sister-in-law Kathy Baker.