Dorothy M. Baker, 76

Dorothy M. Baker, 76, a longtime Whitefish resident, passed away of natural causes Friday, Oct. 12, 2007, at the Lake View Care Center in Bigfork.

She was born June 11, 1931, in Biddeford, Maine, the daughter of Robert and Hazel Smith. In 1946, her family moved to Columbia Falls, where she attended grade school and then graduated from Columbia Falls High School.

She was a true caregiver and worked for Buffalo Hill Nursing Home and Kalispell Regional Medical Center as a nurses' aide. She often received recognition and appreciation from patients and their families who were under her care.

Her hobbies included: crossword puzzles, reading, baking and crocheting. She made afghans, baby blankets, baby booties and sweaters, doilies, and dolls. Her work was beautiful and flawless. Dorothy was compassionate, but no-nonsense. She had a tremendous capacity for hard work, devoting her life to her family and the care of others. 'It is comforting to know she is in the presence of the Lord who is surely enjoying her honest laugh, direct wit, and contagious smile.' She is greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Harold Richard 'Dick' Baker, of Whitefish; her children, Al Norris of Colorado, Royal Norris, Wayne Norris and Terry Norris of Kalispell, Wanda (Norris) Milan of Nevada and Robin (Norris) Sorbin of Mississippi; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; her brother, Rodney Smith, in Bigfork; and sisters, Myrtle Cagle in Cut Bank, Ruth Chapman in Columbia Falls, and Audrey Petersen in California.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, at the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish.