Irene Johanna Baker

Irene Johanna Baker

Irene J. (Radke) Baker, age 93, formerly of Gillett, passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2018 surrounded by family.

 

Irene was born in Oconto Falls on June 24, 1924, a daughter of the late William and Wanda (Schmidt) Radke.  She attended Elm Lawn School and was a graduate of Oconto Falls High School.  Irene was married to Edward C. Baker and together they raised four children.  Irene worked for Quade’s 5 & 10 and later in local factories.  She was a lifetime active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.  She served on various committees including bulletins, finance, quilting, the Women of the Church and was also part of a singing group that would visit area nursing homes.  Irene loved both polka and country music and was an avid Packers, Badgers and Brewers fan; however, her greatest love was for her family.  She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister.  Irene will be sadly missed.

 

Irene is survived by her children: Don (Cecelia) Baker of Rhinelander, David (Krisan) Baker of Appleton, Karen (Greg) Haines of Abrams and Kathy (Dean) Tappa of Lena.  She leaves her grandchildren: Brock (Lynette) Baker, Derek (Meagan) Baker, Ross (Stephanie) Baker, Claire Baker, Brynn Baker and Matthew Tappa; her great-grandchildren Mikayla, Malia, Catherine, Benjamin, Sloane and Reese.  Irene also leaves her siblings: Martha (the late Robert) Schroeder, Helen (the late Joseph) Wiese, Rollyn (Ruth) Radke, Roger Radke, Reuben (Lorraine) Radke, Donald (Jean) Radke, Patricia (the late Thomas) and Bruce (Ann) Radke.  She also leaves a sister-in-law Carol Radke, numerous nieces and nephews as well as grandnieces and grandnephews, other relatives and friends.

 

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Edward and her siblings: Arthur (Mary) Radke, Florence (Lawrence) Radke, Frederich (his wives Lydia and Delores) Radke, Kenneth (Lois) Radke and Alfred Radke.

 

The family sends special thanks to the staff of Sun Valley Homes II-Nine Acres of Oconto and particularly to Irene’s sister, Patsy, who took such exceptional care of Irene in her final years.

 

Friends and relatives may call on the family from 9 to 10:45 AM on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 as ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH (101 W. Main Street, Gillett, WI 54124).  A funeral service will follow at 11 with Pastor Kent Wallace officiating.  Interment will be in Wanderer’s Rest Cemetery.

 

For those wishing, memorials are appreciated to St. John’s Lutheran Church at the above address.

 

For more information, please visit LegacyFuneralChapels.com or call 920-855-2144.

 

Services

[row]

[column lg=”4″ md=”4″ sm=”4″ xs=”12″ ]

Visitation

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

9 to 10:45 AM

St. John’s Lutheran Church

101 W. Main Street

Gillett, WI 54124

[/column]

[column lg=”4″ md=”4″ sm=”4″ xs=”12″ ]

Funeral Service

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

11 AM

St. John’s Lutheran Church

101 W. Main Street

Gillett, WI 54124

[/column]

[column lg=”4″ md=”4″ sm=”4″ xs=”12″ ]

Graveside Service

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

12 Noon

Wanderer’s Rest Cemetery

S. Elm Street

Gillett, WI 54124

[/column]

[/row]

[row]

[column lg=”4″ md=”4″ sm=”4″ xs=”12″ ]

 

John Andrew Olson

John Andrew Olson

John A Olson was born May 13, 1925 to Charles and Clara (Hoeffs) Olson in Belle Plaine, WI. In the 1920s the Olsons bought a farm near Underhill WI, where John lived much of his life.

John attended Mosling Grade School and graduated from Gillett High School in 1943. At this time John enlisted in the Navy. After service John attended college in Lansing MI when he was recruited to help deliver a saw mill to Weippe ID. While in Weippe, Mr. Olson found himself called to assist in putting out a fire in Weippe. This same evening a sixteen year old young lady named Kathleen White stopped to see the commotion where she met the love of her life. Kathy finished High School and John Olson went on to work for Nash Auto in Milwaukee. John and Kathleen wrote to each other during this entire time. They never forgot the fire that was kindled in their first meeting. Mr. Olson returned to the northwest to claim the love he couldn’t forget. The couple were married April 14, 1951 (Easter) and left for WI the following day.

John and Kathy raised two children on a farm near Underhill WI. In 1979 John sold the farm land and began working for Linwood Lumber in Mosling, and later Burkel Inc. in Oconto Falls WI, where he retired at the ripe age of 80 years old.

John was always interested in collecting American military memorabilia. In 2011, John had the privilege of flying to Washington DC on the Honor Flight. A few years ago John rode in a vintage Army Jeep to help lead the 4th of July parade.

In early 2014, John and Kathy both became residents of the Woodlands Nursing Home of Gillett. Later that same year, John lost his wife of 63 years. John was relocated to Appleton WI to be closer to his children where he resided until his passing.

John is survived by a son, Stephen and a daughter, Laurel both of Appleton WI., sister-in-law, Anna Mae Olson (Two Rivers), nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends and extended family members.

John’s father, mother, and three brothers preceded him in death.

John and Kathy were members of the EUB church of Gillett, and later the Tabor United Methodist church for the remainder of their lives.

John was quiet and a dedicated family man, who will be missed by his loved ones.

 

Friends and relatives may call on the family on Monday, March 12, 2018 from 10 to 10:45 AM at the TABOR UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (120 West Main St, Gillett, WI 54124). A funeral service with Pastor David Farina will be held at 11 AM. Full military honors will take place immediately following the service. Interment will be in Wanderer’s Rest Cemetery.
 

Services

[row]

[column lg=”4″ md=”4″ sm=”4″ xs=”12″ ]

Visitation

Tabor United Methodist Church

120 West Main Street

Gillett, WI 54124

Monday, March 12, 2018

10 to 10:45 AM

[/column]

[column lg=”4″ md=”4″ sm=”4″ xs=”12″ ]

Funeral Service

Tabor United Methodist Church

120 West Main Street

Gillett, WI 54124

Monday, March 12, 2018

11 AM

Military Honors to follow

[/column]

[column lg=”4″ md=”4″ sm=”4″ xs=”12″ ]

Final Rest

Wanderer’s Rest Cemetery

South Elm Street

Gillett, WI 54124

[/column]

[/row]

[row]

[column lg=”4″ md=”4″ sm=”4″ xs=”12″ ]