Juanita Kaye Baker

Juanita "Kaye" Baker age 89 went home to be with her Heavenly Father September 30, 2016. Kaye was born on August 8, 1927 in Wallace, Idaho to Edward John Mitchell and Juanita Williams Mitchell. Kaye graduated from Sequoia Union High School June 15, 1945.

Kaye married Robert H. Brodie on August 19, 1945 and had three boys, Jack, Robert, and Richard Brodie. Kayes beloved husband Robert passed away on September 23, 1957 in Redwood City, Ca.

She worked for Pacific Bell Telephone Co from 1959 to 1962 to support and raise her boys after their father passed away. Kaye had many stories and memories about the people she worked with from her time there.

Kaye married Lonnie James Baker on November 13, 1965 in Grants Pass, Oregon; they had two daughters Maureen Kaye Baker and Mary Eileen Baker Halling. Kaye became a military wife and was very active with the Navy wives club and was also a life time member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Kaye and Lonnie later retired from the Navy and made their home in Plains, Mt in 1980.

Kaye never knew a stranger and was always so happy to share her many stories of growing up in Idaho and California. Her grandfather, Colonel Harry Williams was a prominent citizen in the Wallace/Mullan area, having settled there after his service as a Union solider in the Civil War. Kaye had a very special bond with her grandfather, who lived at their home in his later years. Colonel was an honorary name given to Harry most likely due to his young age (14) when he enlisted. Kaye enjoyed telling the story of the cemetery notifying the family that they had made an error with Grandfathers plot and had buried a Colonel with the Private enlisted men. She learned the fine art of spoiling pets from her Grandfather. Over the years, she kept a one eyed horse (Dusty) to the ripe old age of 35, a bum lamb (Annie) which she nursed back to health by letting it live in the house next to the woodstove, and a beagle dog (Susie), nearly froze was brought back to life with oatmeal and blackberry brandy. If an animal came to her home, they always had a good long life.

She loved to crochet and if there was a new baby on its way you can be sure that baby had one of Kayes baby blankets. She enjoyed doing puzzles, reading, playing bingo at Seniors, and helping with the Ladies VFW Auxiliary. She always said these things kept her mind sharp and she had a very sharp mind to the day she passed, keeping the staff at the Clark Fork Nursing home on their toes. She was a wonderful mother and a loyal friend to many, often saying you could never have enough friends. If a neighbor was ill, she would make a big pot of chicken noodle soup for them.

Kaye is survived by her four children: Jack Brodie (Debbie), Robert Brodie, Maureen Baker (Randy Baxter), and Mary Baker Halling. Brother: Joe (Phyllis) Mitchell, numerous Nieces and Nephews from the Mitchell, Brodie and Baker families. Grandchildren: Erica Brodie, Jessica Brodie, Tara Browning (Doug), Kelli Baker, Chris Halling and Harrison Halling. Great Grandchildren: John Michael, Cash, Vincente, Colt and Trace Browning.

Kaye is preceded in death by her mother and father, first husband Robert Brodie; second husband Lonnie Baker, Son Richard Brodie, and Nephew Jim Brodie.

Services will be held at the Plains Bible Chapel with Joel Banham officiating on October 29, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. Reception afterward at the chapel provided by Kayes beloved VFW Auxiliary Ladies.

Service Information Memorial Service Saturday October 29, 2016 3:00 PM to 3:00 PM Plains Bible Chapel 243 Compbest Creek Road Plains, MT 59859