Betty Ann Baker

Betty Ann Baker, 84, of Fort Wayne, passed away at her home on Sunday, May 22, 2022. She was born on February 26, 1938, to the late Hans William and Mary Joanne (Ernst) Madsen in Pocahontas, Iowa. Betty was a farm girl through and through. She was valedictorian of her high school class, earning a full ride scholarship to Morningside College, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Business. She was the first member of her family to graduate from college. She then earned a Master’s in Education at Indiana University. Betty married Norman Baker on June 18, 1960, in West Bend, Iowa. They moved to Bloomington, Indiana, in 1960 and then to Fort Wayne in 1963, where together they raised five children. Norman preceded her in death in 2008. Betty loved to teach and retired at the age of 72 from Fort Wayne Community Schools, where she taught Business and English. She enjoyed spending time with her family and was an active member for over 50 years at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. She was an avid bridge player, a brilliant crossword puzzle solver, and loved to travel. Later in life, she volunteered for Lutheran Hospital where she got to “push people around” and for the Embassy Theatre where she ushered for plays and concerts. For years, she threw an annual neighborhood Christmas party where she served copious amounts of food, including her famous pumpkin bread whose key ingredient is a family secret (real pumpkin). Betty was warm and kind, and she never knew a stranger. She will be missed by all who were lucky enough to be in her world. Surviving are children Dr. Thomas (Kay) Baker of Fort Wayne, Pamela (Tim) Swaidner of Fishers, Jacqueline (Coburn) Cutshall of Westfield, Michael Baker of Fort Wayne, and Katherine (Jorge Moreno) Baker of San Diego, CA; grandchildren Thomas Baker Jr. of Indianapolis, William (Rachel) Baker of Carmel, David Baker of Westfield, Aaron (Megan) Swaidner of Fort Wayne, Nathan Swaidner of Fort Wayne, Nicholas Cutshall of Westfield, Alexander Cutshall of Westfield, and Maximiliano Moreno Baker of San Diego; great-grandchildren Stella and Katy Raymer and Bennett Swaidner, all of Fort Wayne, and Melody Rose Baker of Carmel. Callings will be held on June 30 from 6:00 to 8:00 at Greenlawn Funeral Home at 6750 Covington Rd., Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46804, and on July 1 at 10:00 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 2417 Getz Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804. A Celebration of Betty’s Life will follow on July 1 at 11:00 at Aldersgate. Memorials can be given to Aldersgate United Methodist Church and to the Stillwater Foundation, 5910 Homestead Rd., Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46814. Share memories or condolences at www.greenlawnmpfh.com.