Eugene Baker

Eugene A. Baker, 72, Wausau, passed away peacefully in his sleep Wednesday, January 18, 2017, at home. He was born on June 2, 1944, in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. His parents were Esther (Meeks) Baker, and stepfather Chester Baker. He graduated from Owatonna High School, Owatonna, Minnesota in 1963.
Gene married Jane Tietz on November 8, 1969, at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Wausau. He worked at Connor Forest Industries, Sterling Drug, Crestline, and Wausau Chemicals. After a back injury, he returned to school and earned his accounting degree from Northcentral Technical College in 1984, where he served as president of the Adult Returning Students Club. After obtaining his degree, he worked for the Federal Milk Market Examining Board and as an auditor for the IRS, from which he retired in 2011. After his retirement, he worked for Young's Long Term Care Pharmacy as a driver.
Gene was very generous with his time and enjoyed serving and assisting others. Over the years he volunteered for several organizations, including coaching minor league and little league baseball and Women's Softball. He was involved with the Wausau Softball Association, serving as treasurer and supervisor of the concession stand. He served on the Grant School PTA, the state PTA board and on the Wausau Auxiliary Police. He had also been very active in volunteering at church, where he served on the church council, was treasurer, served on multiple committees and volunteered for Open Door and the Wausau Community Warming Center. He also had volunteered as a poll worker on election days.
When Gene wasn't busy serving others, he found time to make wood projects and furniture to give as gifts, fish at the cottage, cruise around the lake in the pontoon boat, play cards and attend car races. He enjoyed baking and cooking, especially the large annual Thanksgiving meal for his family. He also loved watching the Brewers, Packers and Badgers and spending time with the family dogs, of which there were several over the years.
Gene is survived by his wife Jane and children Nicole (Brian) Tieman, Wausau, Kimberly (Jesse) Suchon, Town of Maine, and Matthew (Melissa) Baker, Kronenwetter, and six grandchildren that he was very proud of: Vanessa, Natalie, Ty, Crystal, Eli & Ethan. He is also survived by siblings Faye Mervyn, Antigo, Roger (Sandra) Baker, Austin, Minnesota, Gladys (Bill) Shea, Rochester, Minnesota, and Rose (Robert) Hunn, Kasson, Minnesota, and sisters-in-law Ellen Tietz, Wausau, and Mary Baker, Denver, Colorado and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Thomas Baker and Ruth Munguia and brothers-in-law Donald Tietz and Gary Mervyn.
Visitation will be at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce Street, Wausau on Monday, January 23, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. The service celebrating his life will be held on Tuesday, January 24, at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 426 Washington Street, Wausau. Visitation will be at the church at 10:00am, with the service at 11:00am. Pastor Philip Schneider will officiate. Interment will be at Restlawn Memorial Park.