Dorothy Baker

Dorothy M. Baker, 76, a longtime Whitefish resident, passed away of natural causes 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 graduated from Columbia Falls High School.

Dorothy was a true caregiver and worked for Buffalo Hill Nursing Home and Kalispell Regional Medical Center as a nurse’s 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. She is greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Harold Richard “Dick” Baker, of Whitefish; 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; brother Rodney Smith, of Bigfork; and sisters Myrtle Cagle, of Cut Bank, Ruth Chapman, of Columbia Falls, and Audrey Petersen, of California.

Memorial services were held Oct. 16, 2007, at the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish.