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Mildred M. Baker, 80 Posted: Wednesday, Jul 16, 2008 - 02:31:28 pm MDT
Mildred M. Baker, 80, of Libby died Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital following several years of poor health. She was born on May 20, 1928 at Whitefish, Mont., the fourth child of Thomas J. and Emma Graef Papineau.Mildred entered the first grade in Troy and completed her elementary education at Central School in Whitefish. She began high school in Whitefish, but was unable to graduate, as she was needed to help their family. Her only regret in life was not receiving her diploma. On Sept. 1, 1946, Mildred married Robert Lee Field of Whitefish by the Rev. Norman R. Prestbye in the Lutheran Church at Polson. The young couple spent the following nine months in Whitefish, where the Great Northern Railroad employed Bob. Robert Field at 27 died of lung cancer on Sept. 23, 1955. Mildred worked in the county Assessor’s Office for a while and then went to work in the office of J. Neil’s Lumber Co., as a stenographer. It was there that she became acquainted with Benjamin Baker, another Neil’s office employee. On May 12, 1957, Mildred married Benjamin at St. John Lutheran Church by Pastor Arthur Werfelmann. A daughter, Melissa Ann, was born in 1959. Mildred opened a day care in 1960 and operated the business until 1984. Ben and Mildred were also involved in the Foster Parent Program. Mildred served as superintendent/teacher of St. John Lutheran Sunday School. She also was employed for eight years as secretary of St. John Lutheran School. Mildred’s parents, a son Thomas, sister Lucille Campbell, a brother Doug Papineau, and another sister Florence Quien Cowan preceded her in death. Mildred is survived by her husband of 51 years Ben Baker of Libby; daughters Lynn Osterhues and husband Roger; and Melissa Rider and husband Grant, both of Libby; a special daughter-in-law Shirley Hatten and husband Bruce of Lakewood, Wash.; six grandchildren, Rachael Osterhues, Aaron Chambers, Kelsi Chambers, Robert Field, and Tammi Dooley; nine great-grandchildren, Hailey May Chambers, Jaydon Nave, Thomas, Brian, Andrew, Erik and Elizabeth Field, and Shawna and Dillin Dooley; and numerous nephews and nieces. Mildred loved her Lord, her family and her life. Services were held July 15, 2008 at St. John Lutheran Church. The Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby was in charge of arrangements.
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The Western News
P O Box 1377 / Libby, MT 59923 / 406-293-4124