Fern Colleen Baker
March 25, 1929 – April 7, 2023

Our beloved Mother, Fern Colleen Curtis Baker, passed away from this life early morning on Good Friday, April 7th 2023 in Pocatello, Idaho at the age of 94. This special woman lived a very full life, was everyone’s biggest cheerleader and so very devoted to her family, church and friends. Her sweet energy and captivating smile are a blessing to all who knew her and will be sorely missed and remembered.

Colleen was born March 25th 1929 in Cambridge, Idaho to Fern Audrey Thompson and Kenneth Elroy Curtis, Downey, Idaho.

Colleen was born with determination and strength of character; she was ambitious, hardworking and dependable her entire life. Starting at age 7, she helped her mother raise her two younger siblings (Thelma Marlene and Kenneth Elroy) after their father was tragically struck by lightning and killed; leaving her mother widowed with three small children to raise.

Colleen, a longtime resident of Downey graduated from Downey High School then attended B.Y.U. in Provo, Utah.

While still in high school and working part time at Bert Almond’s garage in Downey as a bookkeeper, she was introduced to the love of her life. This handsome man, Robert M. Baker and his father brought a farming implement into the garage for some repair and he caught her eye. She asked a mutual acquaintance for an introduction. Robert had returned home after serving his country in WWII and was living in Oxford. She “was smitten” with that introduction.

Colleen married Bob June 15th, 1948 in Downey, Idaho and on March 2nd, 1965 they were Sealed for Time and For All Eternity in the Logan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Colleen had many jobs over her lifetime: washing dishes, selling tickets in the Downey Theater ticket booth, working for American Telephone and Telegraph in Pocatello and later for JC Penny Co. She was an award winning Avon Sales Representative and a Certified Red Cross swimming instructor. She and Bob had their own business, Baker’s Pro Hardware Store in Downey. Once their family was raised and kids were out on their own, they continued to enjoy traveling this beautiful country. When they sold their business, Colleen was bored so she took the Civil Servant Exam then enrolled in Vo-Tech School at I.S.U. for electronic data processing. This resulted in a job offer for Farmers Home Administration in Pocatello, where she worked for 13 ½ years.

Throughout her life, Colleen was very active and involved in her church and community. She held various church callings; Relief Society and Primary Counsellor, Church Librarian, Visiting and Ministering Teacher. She was a 4-H Club Leader and enjoyed singing with the Madrigal Choir for many years. She was an active member of Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Camp Hunt, involved in Downey Study Club and was Downey Senior Center Board Member where she taught Fit and Fall Proof classes. She was a lifelong, avid reader and a walker; walking miles around the outskirts of and in Downey for as long as her health allowed. She loved cooking and was always experimenting with new recipes. Her other domestic hobbies included: crocheting, knitting, and sewing; especially for her children and grandchildren. Among her keepsakes are many Sweepstake ribbons from entries made in the Bannock County fair. Most of all she loved being with and serving her family, friends and her Savior. Her welcoming home and beautiful yard continued to be the family gathering spot after Bob died. We will always miss the warm haven she provided to all, always with food, a hand-knit dish cloth, a competitive game of cards and the nightly fun of watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune with her.

Colleen is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, many dear family members and cherished friends.

She is survived by her children; Richard (Lorry) Baker, Downey; Kathy Baker-Grigg (Roger) Coeur d’Alene; Judy Yetter, Pocatello; Steve (Lexie) Baker, Pocatello; Cathie Baker, Florida (Ronald deceased); 19 Grandchildren, 35 Great Grandchildren and 5 Great-Great Grandchildren, Brother-In-Law Jerome Hall, Sister-In-Law Doreen Curtis and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.

Mom’s funeral arrangements are being handled by Horsley Funeral Home, Malad, Idaho. Visitation and Viewing will be Friday, April 14th 6:00-7:30 p.m. and Saturday the 15th from 12:30-1:30 with the Funeral Service following at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Downey. Following the funeral, internment of the grave will be next to her husband Bob at the Downey Cemetery.