Obituaries

Click HERE to view Dan Baker's Funeral Mass online. The service will be delay-broadcasted and can be viewed anytime after 2pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012.

Daniel James Baker (Dan), 57 of De Pere, died on Holy Saturday afternoon, April 7, 2012 at his home. He fought a courageous battle against cancer and was surrounded by his loving family and friends until the end. The son of James and Audrey (Saari) Baker was born July 31, 1954 in Ironwood, Mich. Dan was a graduate of Ironwood High School and Ferris State College, Big Rapids, Mich. He married Jill Skaja on July 24, 1976 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Ironwood.

Dan and Jill moved to Green Bay in 1977 from Woodstock, Ill. where Dan taught and coached for one year, He taught at Green Bay West and Southwest for two years before he began a long and illustrious career in teaching and coaching athletics for De Pere High School where he remained until his retirement in 2011. Dan coached football for a few years, but his true passion had always been Cross Country and Track & Field. His license plate even read "TRK CC." Dan was more than an average coach. He instilled a concept of pride and self-worth into every kid he coached, regardless of their ability, and brought out the best in everyone—students and fellow coaches alike. "All It Takes is All You've Got" will forever be his legacy. His charisma, positive attitude, and infectious optimism were the guideposts by which he lived, taught, and coached. He was a wonderful husband and an unbelievable father and grandfather. He will be missed so much by all who knew him and loved him. Dan's positive influence on his family, friends, students, athletes, and the community will never be forgotten and forever appreciated.

Over his career, he taught marketing and business classes and was the DECA Advisor at De Pere until he retired. The track at Dad Brashier Field was dedicated in a ceremony on March 30, 2012 as "Dan Baker Track." Dan was a sports enthusiast. He was actively involved in The Christy's Race, which was held in memory of Dan's friend Bjorn Christensen. He was a spectator at every sport at De Pere, always supported the student athletes, and encouraged them to play more than one sport. He truly believed it made them better athletes and students.

He loved his granddaughters more than anything, and they were his biggest joy. His face lit up the minute they entered the room. He would enjoy a leisurely round of golf, which usually got the best of him. However, he did participate in an annual "for fun" golf tournament called the Tri-State Open with high school classmates and his best friends. Dan was a Detroit Lions fan and a converted Packers fan. He cheered for the Badgers and the Michigan Wolverines.
Dan's family includes his wife, Jill; son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Lauren (Higgins) Baker and granddaughters, Lily and Macy - De Pere; daughter and son-in-law Hilary and Ken Baker - Bellevue; mother, Audrey Baker - Ironwood, Mich.; brother and sister-in-law, David and Debbie (McLimans) Baker and their children Matthew Baker, Erin Baker, Tyler McLimans, Brady McLimans, and Danielle McLimans - De Pere; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Tracy (McConville) Baker and their children Becky (Baker) and Eric Boquist, Brooke Baker, and Cody Baker - Mercer, Wis.; sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne (Baker) and LeRoy Niemi and their children Laura (Niemi) and Adam Vandenbush, Eric Niemi, Joseph Niemi, and James Niemi - Green Bay; sister and brother-in-law, JoAnn (Baker) and Jeff Bartolameolli and their children Elizabeth Nardi, Jami Nardi, Sophie, and Audrey Barolameolli - De Pere.

In addition, Dan will be greatly missed by Jill's family (Skaja's) and a multitude of friends, his fellow teachers, coaches, and students at De Pere High School, and the De Pere Community in general.
Family and friends may visit St. Mary Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Drive, Ledgeview, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10, 2012. Visitation will continue after 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the church until the time of the service. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. (Wednesday) at the church with Father Richard Getchel & Deacon Kevin DeCleene officiating. RYAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY of De Pere is assisting the family with arrangements. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the Baker family.

As we know some people may not be able to make it to Dan's Funeral Mass, we would like to extend this opportunity for you to watch his Mass via the internet.

Click HERE to view Dan Baker's Funeral Mass online. The service will be delay-broadcasted and can be viewed anytime after 2pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Dan Baker Track & Cross Country Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The Baker Family expresses their deep gratitude to family and friends; Green Bay Oncology — Dr. Ebben, Dr. Mian, Dr. Blank, Nicole Spaeth, and the nursing staff; and Unity Hospice for helping him through his courageous battle.

Please come dressed in your favorite Redbird colors.

Read Daniel Baker's Obituary and Guestbook on www.ryanfh.com.