Janet Louise Baker

Janet Louise Baker, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away on November 15, 2023 at the age of 83.  She was born August 7, 1940 to Forrest Lynn and Ada Hurst in Austin, Minnesota.

As a woman of great musical talent and the unique ability to play many songs by ear, Janet loved to play the piano as well as hear others play for her.  Janet especially liked certain Broadway songs, classical pieces, and church hymns.

After graduating from high school in 1958, Janet graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in elementary education. She married David Schaer in 1962 and had their daughter Barbara in 1965. They later divorced in 1968. 

Janet met Bruce W. Baker, the love of her life, and they married in August 1969. Janet and Bruce became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1975 as converts to the faith. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.  They had a great love for each other throughout their 54 years of marriage. 

Janet and Bruce moved their family to Syracuse, Utah in 1989 where they raised their younger children, Brenda, Brian, and Becky in their home overlooking a farm.  They had many friends and neighbors with whom they associated.  While living in Syracuse, Janet and Bruce served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Service Missionaries teaching English to Spanish speakers.  Janet served as a pianist and an organist in their wards and branches.

Janet loved to cook for her family and others.  She also had a sweet tooth.  She liked a wide variety of desserts and treats.  She was a talented baker and loved to make birthday cakes for her children as they grew. Janet was kind-natured and lived a modest life.  She helped support her family as she worked as a teacher’s aid, cook, and in the food-service industry. Janet loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother.

She is survived by her husband Bruce W. Baker of Roy UT, children Barbara (Scott) Bergman of Herriman UT, Brian (Kathleen) Baker of Layton UT, Becky (Alan) Hinze of Roy UT, brother Ray (Betty) Hurst of Eau Claire WI, sister Joy (Dennis) Stierlen of Champlin MN. The posterity of Janet loved and honored her.  She will forever be in our hearts, and we look forward to the day when we will be reunited with her again.

Janet is preceded in death by her parents Lynn and Ada Hurst, her daughter Brenda Baker, and granddaughter Camry Baker (daughter of Brian and Kathleen).

A viewing will be held on Monday, November 20, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Russon Mortuary in Syracuse, 1585 W. 300 S. Syracuse, Utah. A short viewing will also be held from 9:30-10:30 AM on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at Russon Mortuary. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM. Following funeral services, Janet will be laid to rest in West Point City Cemetery, 40 N. 4000 W. West Point, Utah.

The family is grateful to Raintree Assisted Living Center in Syracuse and Sunridge Assisted Living Center and Memory Care in Roy for their loving care of Janet.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on her behalf via Venmo @Becky-Hinze.

There will be a luncheon for close friends and family at the church on 1956 South 3000 West in Syracuse at 1:30 p.m. following interment at the cemetery.