Joshua Lynn Baker

Joshua Lynn Baker, Aen?hee'e (Sitting Hawk), beloved son of Darryl and Parmalee Rising Sun Baker, was born on March 17, 1990, and left us on September 25, 2022. Joshua Lynn was named by dad, and named Aen?hee'e by his great-grandma Sarah Yellow Fox, at his birth. He was Mandan, Hidatsa and Northern Cheyenne and an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes. He was a member of the Low Cap Clan and a child of the Prairie Chicken Clan.

Aen?hee'e 's paternal grandparents are the late Gail Baker Sr and late Veronica Two Crow Baker. His maternal grandparents are the late Irvin W. Rising Sun Sr. and Margaret Yellow Fox Rising Sun.

Son,
How blessed I am to be your mama! I lovingly held you in my arms, from the moment you took your first breath and as you took your last breath. I love you beyond measure. Your chokecherry eyes, Baker likeness, Two Ravens stature, Rising Sun tallness and Yellow Fox resiliency.

You were spiritual and believed in Ma'heo'o, and baptized in the mighty Tongue River in Birney, watching and reading God's word with Dad, and going to church with your mama. I know that you are with Ma'heo'o and free from pain, and this knowledge brings me some comfort because I know that I will see you again.

You loved your little brother from the moment he was born, smothering him with hugs and kisses, never letting him out of your sight, sharing your love of Batman with him, teaching him how to wear a cape and ride a bike, keeping his secrets when you both got into mischief. The rower of the drift-boat, so he could fish. Driving him crazy when he had to tie your bait, ""this is the last time!"" he would say as he stormed away, and then I would hear ""Tuff…"" but he always helped you out. I remember when you skunked your brother fishing and he never let that go. Of course, you snagged your trout, but it still counted. It was the two of you constantly going out hunting or fishing. You let him have the best rod and reel, and rifle without complaint. You took your big brother role seriously, you gave him the best, let him go first and content when he was happy.

You were like your dad, kind, gentle, heart of gold, handsome, great sense of humor, quick wit and a son of God. Dad's greatest times in his life were spent with you and your brother, teaching you to hunt and fish, helping you with hockey and baseball. Dad saying you inherited his hunting expertise because you were an excellent shot like him. And the funniest, I remember Dad came home with a red baseball shaped mark on his forehead. He said you were pitching, and he was catching, and you beaned him right between the eyes!

You had some of me too. You inherited my love of reading, always had a library card and preferred a real book in your hands. You had an infinity for vintage (thrift store) clothes, going to yard sales and flea markets. Old cars and old country music. You enjoyed cooking. You never forgot my birthday, always buying me my favorite gifts. You made our lives richer and fuller in every way.

You grew up in Brighton, where you spent summers at the pool with your friends, skateboarding, playing baseball, football, running cross country with Coach, and swimming. Riding your bikes to rent movies and get ice cream. Trick or treating with your brother and friends, working at the haunted house, mowing Mac and Gloria's yard, going to the library, and playing tennis under the lights. You played ice hockey. You wanted to be a goalie so bad, you wrapped pillows around your legs, my oven mitts as a blocker and your catching equipment as glove and helmet. So, you became a goalie and a darn good one!

Your kindness extended to all creatures, you always fed the neighborhood cats and dogs. At night, Dad and I would be in bed, and we would hear a cat meowing outside, then you walking in the kitchen to get it something to eat, using my good dinnerware of course, then going outside to feed it. This happened nightly and dad and I would have a little laugh because it warmed our heart that you cared. And the neighbor's dog that would come running to greet you when he saw your pickup pull up to the house. Not to mention, you holding every cat and kitten, in spite of your allergy but swearing you weren't allergic as your eyes were watering. And those darn cats kept taking your glasses.

You were unselfish and freely gave away whatever you had; material things did not matter. If a friend needed some money, you gave it, if they needed a ride, you gave it, if they needed a jacket, you gave it. Loving your family. Being chauffer for your Grandpa Gail and never saying no to him, changer of the light bulbs, forever losing your glasses, the taco maker on Taco Tuesday and your mouth-watering fettucine alfredo.

I will miss everything about you, your infectious laugh, phone calls, our talks, your big ole hugs, your cup of coffee in the morning, your excellent recommendations on music, movies and tv shows. Our early morning walks on the Rims and going to church on Sunday. You commandeering the tv remote and showing Dad and I the latest and funniest comedians. I never told you, but dad and I loved this about you because you shared this pastime with us, and we cherished those moments. Even now, remembering and listening to you and dad laugh, brings a smile to my face.

You filled our home with music. Your callused fingertips from many hours playing the guitar and mandolin. ""Check this out"" you would say as you shared your latest composition. Your love of music, especially the guitar riffs, listening to classic rock Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Townes Van Zandt. But when we were on the road, you loved to listen to George Strait with me, ""he reminds me of you"" you often said.

You leave a giant hole in our family, and it will never be filled, you will always have a place at the dinner table, presents under the tree, your name spoken daily and permanently in our thoughts. You take a piece of my heart with you, I will be forever broken, never whole, you are my first born, made me a mama, how thankful and blessed I am to be your mama.

You leave behind me, your dad, your best little brother Trevor ""Tuff"". Your grandmas: Maggie, Rose, Bert and Jeannie. Aunties: Bill, Patricia, Kay, Cynthia, Jeannie, Missy, Edina and Ethel. Uncles: Irvin Jr, Johnson, Howard, Vernon, JR, Rich. Sisters: Charlee, Ty, Allianna, Josie, Kennon, Sarah, Jersey, Veronica, and Cassandra. Brothers: Noah, Bradley, Patrick, Sonny, Jalen, Teddy, Daniel, Merrill, Casey, John, Cameron, Richie, Danny and Chris. And many more relations who loved you.

Your family is in Heaven to greet you: Grandpa Gail, Grandma Veronica, Grandma Sarah, Grandpa Irvin, Grandpa Charlie, Grandpa Eugene, Auntie Clarice, Auntie Alice, Uncle Lucian and brothers Anthony and Samuel.

You're a proud member of Mandan, Hidatsa and Northern Cheyenne Nations, Baker, Grinnell, Two Crow, Fast Dog, Rising Sun, Iron Shirt, Yellow Fox, Weasel Bear, and Bear Quiver Families. And many more families.

I love you forever. Your broken-hearted mama.