Diane C. Baker

Diane Baker, age 72, resident of Grand Forks, ND, formerly of Whitman, ND died unexpectedly Friday, December 7, 2018 at the Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Diane Carol Pratt was born July 27, 1946 in Breckenridge MN to Verna (Jacobs) and Clifford Pratt. She grew up on a farm with her brother Ron and graduated from Breckenridge high school in 1964. After high school she attended Josef’s School of Hair in Fargo, and one summer night while cruising the streets of Breckenridge, Steve Baker met the love of his life. They were happily married on one of the hottest days in history July 9, 1966 and that night they hopped in their 1964 Cutlass and drove to Indiana. A few years later, they decided that the Baker farm north of Whitman was going to be their forever home. They were truly happy living and working the farm, but soon decided something was missing. In July 1978 they drove down to Fargo and picked up Shannon Lynn. In March of 1983 their family was completed with the arrival of a blonde hair, blue eyed boy they named Brandon Lee.

Diane enjoyed life on the farm: mowing, working in her gardens and planting beautiful flowers. During the harvest you could find her in a combine with her Diet Pepsi in a cooler next to her. She had a love for animals and enjoyed riding her horse Girl. She looked forward to camping every summer and many trips were taken to Ottertail Lake, Lake of the Woods and the Black Hills. In 2006 they took one of their biggest trips and traveled to Germany to see her brother Ron.

Life changed on December 31, 2004 with the arrival of the twins Jacob and Morgan. Grandma Diane couldn’t get to the hospital fast enough to see them, despite a raging blizzard outside. Soon after, Steve and Diane made the hardest decision of their life and sold the Baker family farm and moved to Grand Forks to be closer to family and doctors. July 2016 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends. They enjoyed city life but looked forward every summer to camping at Larimore Dam.

Hearts were broken on July 10, 2017 with the passing of Steve but Diane stayed strong and enjoyed one final trip to Las Vegas with Shannon and Brandon in November. Her most recent joy was the engagement of Brandon and Amanda.

Diane is survived, and will be greatly missed, by her daughter Shannon, son Brandon (Amanda and her daughter Ava), her precious grandkids who meant the world to her Jacob and Morgan Presnell, her brother Ron (Judy) Pratt, brother in law Gregg Baker, niece Emily (Mitch) Chadwick, nephews Brian Baker, Andy (Erin) Pratt, Mark (Jess) Pratt and Scott (Courtney) Pratt.

She was welcomed into heavenly arms by her husband and parents.

The Service of Remembrance for Diane will be held Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 1 p.m. at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota with visitation beginning at 11 a.m.  Interment will be in East Sarnia Cemetery, rural Whitman, ND.

In lieu of flowers the family welcomes memorials to East Sarnia cemetery, the American Cancer Society or Red River Valley Hospice.

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