Nancy Jean Baker

There will be a celebration of Nancy’s life on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Runge Mortuary & Crematory. The family will greet friends from 12:00pm to 2:00pm with a service at 2:00pm followed by a reception at the mortuary. Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery Davenport. Donations in her honor may be made to the Quad City Animal Welfare Center Milan, IL. Please share your condolences with the family at www.rungemortuary.com .

Nancy lived life with equal parts discipline, kindness, and quiet humor. A proud CPA, Nancy earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting at St. Ambrose University and built a successful career with RSM, where she served as a Senior Tax Director and was respected for her professionalism, dedication, intelligence, and integrity. She retired in 2021 — though anyone who knew Nancy understands she never truly retired from helping others.

She loved cheering on USA Soccer with her family, watching cooking shows with her daughter while undoubtedly critiquing every recipe choice from the comfort of the couch, biking, hiking, and spending time with her beloved grand dogs (Ellie and Zoey) who were treated less like pets and more like very spoiled grandchildren. She also shared a longtime love of Shark Week with Bill and Katy, turning it each year into a family tradition filled with excitement, laughter, and plenty of fun memories together.

Nancy shared a beautiful 41-year marriage with her husband, Bill. Together they built a life filled with love, resilience, laughter, long walks, road trips, and countless adventures. Nancy was the planner; Bill was more spontaneous — a combination that somehow worked perfectly for four decades. She kept life organized. He kept life interesting.

Nancy leaves behind her loving husband, Bill Baker; her daughter, Katy Baker; her brothers, Johnny Pelzel of McAlester and Michael Pelzel of Ankeny; her sister, Connie Westerhof (Pelzel) of Merrimack; extended family; dear friends; and many people who will miss her steady presence, practical wisdom, caring heart, and occasional perfectly timed eye roll.

The world feels a little less organized without Nancy in it. But her love, laughter, and the memories she created will continue to guide the people lucky enough to have walked beside her.