Mary Josephine Baker

Mary attended school at Fly Creek, Anita and Worden, Montana, graduating from Huntley Project High school in 1933, and from St Vincent's School of Nursing in 1937. She began her nursing career at the County Hospital. Mary married Robert Allison Baker, in Oakland, CA in June of 1942. Mary worked as a nurse while they were in Oakland, but in1943, they moved back to Billings. In December of 1943, Bob died of pneumonia. Their daughter, Roberta, was born on February 6,1944, but died of Leukemia on Dec 13, 1950.

Mary continued her nursing career at St Vincent Hospital. She also worked for Dr. Benson, Dr. Marchello, and at Valley Nursing Home. However, running the ranch in Shawmut that Mary had inherited from her husband was a big part of her life and her nursing job helped pay the ranch expenses. She happily drove those many miles back and forth to the ranch. Mary's brothers, sisters and their families all enjoyed spending time at the ranch, hunting, fishing, and just being together as family and helping out. At different times over the years, Mary leased the ranch to her brother John and his family, brother Glen and his family, and to her nephew Terry and wife Shelly. The ranch was then sold in 2000.

In her younger days, Mary felt fortunate to be able to travel to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii as well around the U.S.. She enjoyed these trips immensely and spoke of them often. When Mary's mother moved off the family farm, she lived with Mary for many years until she went into a nursing home. Brother Ted also lived with her until he graduated from Central High school and college

Besides her husband and daughter, Mary was preceded in death by her Mother and Father, brothers Herman(who died as an infant), Marcus, John and James, sister-in-law Corinna Lechner, brother-in-law Earling Haaland, and niece Cindy Lechner. She is survived by sisters, Katherine Haaland, RoseEllen (Frank) Weber, brothers Karl (Elaine), Glen (Kate), Charles (Ruth), and Ted (Patty), sisters-in-law Beverly Lechner, Ruth Ann Weinfurter, Margery Clavadetcher, and thirty one nieces, nephews and their families.

Mary had recently sold her home in Billings and moved into the Vista at St Johns where she lived until she broke her hip. She then went into St Johns Nursing Home where she ultimately passed away. A memorial service will be held at St Pius Church at II :00 a.m. on Friday, March 2nd, with Michelotti-Sawyers in charge. Cremation has taken place and internment will be after the service and reception. Memorials should be send to St Vincent's Foundation or St. Johns Lutheran Ministries.