Alyce Rezek Baker

It is with great sadness that the family of Alyce Rezek Baker announces her passing on Thursday June 3, 2021 at the age of 97. Our mother was kind, loving, and generous to her family and friends. She is now in heaven with our father, family members, and her many friends. Mom was born on January 2, 1924 on the family homestead in Charles Mix County near Lake Andes, South Dakota. She was the daughter of Elias Karl Rezek and Rose Fern Shedadi and she was one of twelve siblings.

Mom had a true pioneer spirit having been raised on the prairies and farmlands of South Dakota. She had a lifelong love of nature, animals, and the outdoors. One of her favorite pastimes was to tend to her plants and flowers.

Mom attended Mitchell Business College in Mitchell, South Dakota upon graduation from high school. The forty miles to Mitchell was the farthest she had ever been from home. After attending the business college she left with a friend to go to McCllelan Air Force Base in Sacramento, California where she worked in the Intelligence Division. There she processed final deployment papers for servicemen who were being deployed to the war in the Pacific.

In late 1943, Alyce and her sister Amy went to work for the Manhattan Project in Milwaukee. This secret project’s objective was to test and assemble components that would later become the nuclear bomb that ultimately ended the war with Japan. After WWII, mom moved to Jacksonville to be near her sister Nellie, who had moved here after her husband was discharged from the Navy. Mom began working for the City of Jacksonville Electric & Water Utilities as a secretary to the Chief Engineer. While working there she met the love of her life, our Dad, Marion. They had a wonderful and loving marriage for almost fifty years. After retiring from the City, Mom began working for Southern Belle Frozen Foods as an administrative assistant from 1973-1988. Mom believed in hard work and the importance of a good education. As a member of Mandarin Presbyterian Church, she cherished her faith and was involved with various volunteer activities.

Alyce was predeceased by her husband Marion. She is survived by her brother; Larry Rezek, her sister-in-law, Merlynn Rezek; her three children and their spouses, Edgar and Jean Baker, Beverly Baker-Miley and husband Delvin, James and Darlene Baker; grandchildren, Caitlin (Taylor Ralph), Leslie Baker, Taylor (T.J. Carter), Cody Baker, and Blaire Miley; her great-grandchildren, Stokes and John Baker Ralph and Beau Carter. Mom also had many nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

Visitation will be at 10:00 am Thursday June 10th, followed by the service at 11:00 am at Hardage -Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, Florida. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at HarborChase of Mandarin, the caregivers from Concierge Care, and a special thanks to Julie Maly ARNP, who oversaw her medical care.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her honor to Feeding South Dakota 4701 N. Westport Ave. Sioux Falls, S.D., www.feedingsouthdakota.org or the charity of your choice.