Donna Beverly Deitz

1936 - 2023

Our mother, Donna Beverly Baker was born March 21, 1936, in Denver CO, the second child of Ira Don Baker and Mayme Ruth (Hageman) Baker. She grew up in Kremmling CO, on their ranch with her siblings, Donald Bruce, Rodney Blair, Linda Patricia and Rex Nelson. They lived in Kremmling until 1949, when their father was killed in a hunting accident. After that Ruth and the children moved back to Denver. They lived in a small house on Wyandot Street, owned by Alvin Shelden. In 1954 Alvin and Ruth were married, and Al became their 'Papa', loved and respected by them all. In 1954 Beverly married Frank Jicha and five children were born to them – Debra Louise (Olsen), Donna Jo, Rebecca Helen (Harmon), Kevin Daniel and Jeffrey Donald. That marriage dissolved in 1963. In 1969 Papa and Ruth decided to move to Alaska, following a dream borne when they visited Rod and Kay in Anchorage in 1966. They decided that Beverly and her children would come, too, which changed the course of history for our family. They bought a retired school bus and turned it into a modern-day RV, including a stove and sink, and beds for 7 people!! Mama and Grandpa took turns driving the bus from Denver to Anchorage, a little over three weeks. This bus was our only means of transportation for months after we moved to Alaska! Mother found work in Anchorage – driving a school bus!

In 1970 Beverly met and married Ray Deitz. They moved to Ray's home in Homer, Alaska. Tracy Nelson Deitz was born to them in 1971. They lived in Homer until 1981, when their marriage dissolved, and Beverly and Tracy moved to Anchorage. It was at that time that she started going to meetings again with her mother, Ruth, and made her choice to serve God. She was baptized in 1982 at Wasilla convention.

In around 1992 she moved to Soldotna and lived in various homes until 2016, when she moved into Riverside Assisted Living a.k.a Aspen Creek Assisted Living, where she has resided until now.

Mama passed away on February 24, 2023. She is preceded in death by her parents, her older brother Don and younger sister Linda, her oldest daughter Debbie (Charlene), as well as one grandchild, Randy. She is survived by her remaining brothers, Rod and Rex Baker; her children, Donna, Becky, Kevin, Jeff (and Camie) and Tracy; nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Memorial services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 4th, 2023 at the Sterling Community Center In Sterling, Alaska.