Steven A. Baker

Steven A. Baker, age 71, resident of Grand Forks, ND, formerly of Whitman, ND, died Monday, July 10, 2017 at his home in Grand Forks.

Steven Allen Baker was born October 3, 1945 at Seattle, WA, the son of Alwood and Corella (Moe) Baker. He was confirmed at Sarnia Lutheran Church in Whitman, ND. Steve was raised and educated in Whitman and graduated from Michigan High School in 1963. He attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND and graduated with a degree in Diesel Mechanics. Steve married Diane Pratt on July 9, 1966 in Breckenridge, MN. They moved to Hammond, IN where he worked at Allis-Chalmers. In the fall of 1967, they moved to Minneapolis, MN. Steve then worked for Cenex as a diesel mechanic. Steve and Diane moved to the family farm near Whitman in the fall of 1970. He established Baker Trucking as well as working beside his father as a 3rd generation farmer. They raised their two children, Shannon and Brandon on the farm. As a family they enjoyed many camping trips to Lake of the Woods, the Black Hills, and Ottertail Lake. Steve and Diane had the opportunity to visit Germany in 2006 to visit Diane’s brother, Ron. In 2010, Steve made the difficult decision to retire from farming. They continued living on the farm until moving to Grand Forks in 2014. He was a member of Sarnia United Lutheran Church and more recently a member of Michigan Lutheran Church. During retirement, they enjoyed camping at the Larimore Dam. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working on old cars. Most of all, Steve loved to spend time with his family and especially his grandchildren.

Steve will be deeply missed by his wife of 51 years, Diane; children, Shannon Baker and Brandon Baker, both of Grand Forks, ND; grandchildren, Jacob and Morgan Presnell of Grand Forks, ND; brother, Gregg Baker of Portland, OR; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ron (Judy) Pratt of San Antonio, TX; and several nieces and nephews.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clifford and Verna Pratt.

The Funeral Service for Steve will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at Michigan Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at East Sarnia Cemetery, rural Whitman, ND. Visitation will be held on Wednesday at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota, ND from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and will continue at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.