Phyllis Marie Baker

     Phyllis Marie Baker, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away on February 25, 2024, in Claremont, CA at the age of 105.   She was born on June 16, 1918, in Emmetsburg, IA, to Ivan and Vera Jacobsen.  Phyllis spent her early years in Iowa and then moved to Chicago where she grew up in the city and graduated from Fenger High School.

     Phyllis met and married Warren “Bud” Baker, a professional and semi-professional baseball player, in 1938 and they spent 53 years together.  He was a semi-professional and professional baseball player, and Phyllis and “Bud” spent several happy years living the baseball life.  Many great stories were told of this time!  Phyllis was a lifelong White Sox fan and rarely missed a game on radio or TV.  She knew all the players; their stats; and the final scores of the games.  Her prodigious memory extended beyond baseball as well.  Phyllis remembered everything.  If a friend or family member wanted to know about an event from the past, they could ask Phyllis.  Her memory was good to the end.

     Phyllis and Bud settled down in Peotone, IL, in the late 1940’s. Over the next seventy plus years Phyllis was thoroughly involved in nearly all aspects of the community including its civic clubs, patriotic organizations, church functions, and local sports.  She led the Peotone Women’s Club for many years, participated in the American Legion Auxiliary Activities, faithfully attended the Peotone United Methodist Church, arranged the local Meals on Wheels program, and was a founding member of the Peotone Historical Society.  Phyllis was also an enthusiastic golfer who belonged to the Minne Monesse ladies’ league.  When she dressed up as Phyllis Diller for a golf event, she did so with such a striking resemblance and mannerisms that it was truly hilarious.  Bud worked in the 1950’s to form the Little League in Peotone and build the park baseball fields and Phyllis was right there with him.   Bud was the Mayor of Peotone for several years and Phyllis was truly his partner in so many ways.  Her family often called her the “First Lady” as she had many ideas, suggestions, and tips on how to improve Peotone.  She was well known and loved in the community.   

     One of the wonderful qualities of Phyllis was her love of friends and family.  The holiday meals Phyllis and her relatives hosted in her early years were legendary.   They had everyone gathered around the table.  She held her family close and kept in touch with greeting cards, letters, and phone calls.   She never forgot a birthday, anniversary, or other special event.  Phyllis will be remembered for her love of people, of her children and grandchildren, and her enduring desire to help others.

     Phyllis Baker is survived by her son, Jerry (Marianne) Baker; daughter, Judith (Michael) Fontanetta; son, Corey (Kathy) Baker; her grandchildren, Josh (Carly) Baker, Rebecca Spennetta, Sara (Tim) Switzer, Ashley (Cyrus) Moshiri, Jeff (Brittany) Baker, and Julie (Jorge) Ruan; and her great-grandchildren, Mike Pruchnicki, Matt, John, and Camryn Baker, Christian Spennetta, Spencer and Wyatt Switzer, and Noelle and Lia Moshiri.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren “Bud” Baker, her brothers, Jack Jacobsen, Spencer Jacobsen, and Wayne Jacobsen; her step-mother, Gladys Jacobsen, and her parents. 

     A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Fedde-Helfrich-Cross Funeral Home, 112 W. Main St. Peotone, IL, from 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. with a memorial service being held at 2:00 p.m., Rev. Richard Young officiating.  Phyllis lived a long, full life and we invite you to bring an anecdote or remembrance to share at the service.  Memorials in her name may be made to the Peotone United Methodist Church.  Share a memory at www.feddehelfrichcrossfh.com