Roman F. Baker
Roman F. Baker, 98, died Friday, November 17, 2017 at the
Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac.
He was born December 16, 1918, in Stevens Point, WI, the son
of August and Martha (Daczyk) Baker.
On June 23, 1945, he married Coyla M. Mead in Beloit,
WI. After her passing in 1984, he spent
winters in Texas, and became a Texas resident.
He married Ann Radtke on June 30, 1989, living in Harlingen, then Donna,
Texas, and residing during summer months in Fountain, MI. In the summer of 2016, he chose to give up
driving and move back to Wisconsin where he resided with his daughter LuAnn in
Fond du Lac.
Following graduation from P.J. Jacobs High School, he joined
the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) for 13 months. He then attended UW-Stevens Point for 2
years. After taking a semester off to
work, he enrolled at UW-Whitewater graduating in 1942 with a Business Education
degree.
He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving for 3 ½ years
during World War II. During his service
he attended Communications School at Harvard University, and achieved the rank
of 2nd Lieutenant.
He obtained a Master’s degree in Business Education from the
University of Iowa and taught Business Education 6 years in New Richmond,
WI. After the passing of his
father-in-law in 1952, moved to the Mead family farm outside of Beloit where he
farmed along with teaching Business Education in Durand, Illinois. In 1968, the family moved off the farm and
resided in Brodhead. He continued
teaching in Durand, IL for a total of 26 ½ years—8 of the years serving as half
time principal and half time teacher—retiring in December 1978.
Throughout his life he excelled in sports, participating in
boxing, hockey, baseball, football, golf, and bowling. He also enjoyed watching sports, especially
the Wisconsin Badgers, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Green Bay Packers. He was an avid card player with Bridge being
his favorite.
Roman is survived by his wife, Ann Radtke, Grand Rapids, MI;
sons, Robert R. (Julie) Baker of Oakfield, WI, Stephen J. Baker of Brodhead,
WI; daughters, LuAnn L. Baker of Fond du Lac, WI, Mary K. Baker of
Campbellsport, WI; four granddaughters, Shelly (Greg) Kottke, Oakfield, WI,
Melissa Baker, Oakfield, WI, Mickey (Nate) Oechsner, Brownsville, WI, Bobbie
(Cory) Immel, Oakfield, WI, and great grandchildren, Megan, Marissa, and
Miranda Kottke, Evan Immel, and step granddaughter Natalie Oechsner.
In addition to his parents, and first wife, he was preceded
in death by nine siblings.
The family thanks the staff and volunteers at Agnesian
Hospice Home of Hope for their compassionate care over the last several months.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Agnesian
Hospice Home of Hope.
VISITATION: Friends may call on Wednesday, November 22, from
9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Sacred Heart Church of Holy Family Parish, 232 South Peters
Avenue, Fond du Lac.
FUNERAL: Funeral services will be held on Wednesday,
November 22, at 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church of Holy Family Parish.
Burial will take place at a later date at Newark Cemetery,
in Town of Newark
Kurki-Mach Funeral
Chapel & Crematory is serving the family, www.kurkimachfuneralchapel.com.