She was born on June 9th 1934 in Chicago, Ill., to parents Theodore & Bernice Jacobson. Jane was an only child but was surrounded by many aunts & uncles. The family moved to Ketchikan, Alaska where her father worked for a salmon canning company as an accountant. During WWII the family relocated to Seattle Washington. At an early age Jane started riding the bus to church and made lifelong friends at church camps.
After finishing high school, she decided to attend Washington State University where she met Ronald Baker. Just three and a half years later she graduated with a dual major in Home Economics and Science. The two were married at Plymouth Congregational Church in Seattle, Washington on June 19 1955. The couple moved to Hermiston, Oregon where Ron worked for Doane’s Agriculture Service and Jane started her teaching career at Stanfield High School. Since Jane was still very young the principle requested that she wear high heel shoes to help differentiate herself from the students. “Farm Women On The Go” read the title from the national publication Farm Wife News in July 1972. Not a big surprise to those that new her but a huge compliment to this city-bred now country girl. Jane was always involved in something from being a 4-H leader, Sunday school teacher, PEO member, substitute teacher, teaching cooking classes, mother of 5, wife and woman of faith, she always seemed to be on the go. Both Ron and Jane are founding members of Hermiston Christian Center where in 1979 Jane became the first principle of the school. Throughout all of this Jane also worked at the family business of C&B Livestock. Jane continued to teach in her later years at Hermiston High School as the ESL teacher and tutoring many of the students. The book she enjoyed most was the Bible but after that was any cookbook she could get her hands on. She always said she liked reading them like novels.
She is survived by husband of 61 years Ronald Baker of Hermiston; daughter: Sheila Banke & husband Dan of McMinnville, OR; daughter: Colleen Williams & husband Randy of Coeur D’Alene, ID; daughter: Suzanne Coggings & husband Craig of Pittsburgh, PA; daughter: Serena Beason & husband Jim of Denver, CO; son: Ray Baker of Hermiston, OR; grandchildren Nathaniel (Lindsey), Caleb (Annie), Danielle (Jadon), Rachel, Abby, Hannah, Kennidy, Kambree, Kilee; great grandchildren; Jude & Preston.
Jane was preceded in death by her parents.
In lieu of flowers or contributions the family asks that you pick up on of Jane’s favorite books (Bible or cookbook) and enjoy what’s inside with family or friends and think of her.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at the Hermiston Christian Center, 1825 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston, OR 97838.
Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
