Dolores Mae Baker, 72

Dolores Mae Baker, 72, passed away at her home Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, after a lengthy illness.

Funeral services were held Saturday at Free Methodist Church in Bonners Ferry. Burial was in Grandview Cemetery.

Dorie blessed us with her presence on May 15, 1937, after being born in a house in the country at Moyie Springs. Her parents were Ruby Irene LaFountain and Robert J. Chappell.

In Dories’ early years, she loved horseback riding and spending time with the Behrmans, who lived up the road where Dorie grew up.

At 15, Dorie met Gene. In 1953 at age 16, they married shotgun style. They lived a very full life in Porthill, Bonners Ferry, Priest River, Great Falls, Lewistown, Montana and then back to Bonners Ferry, where they raised three children. David was born in 1955, Sherri Ann in 1956 and Toni Marie in 1959.

Dorie worked at the IGA Store for Jim Farber while raising her family.

After the children were in school, Dorie went back to school and became part of the first class to graduate from the hospital as a licensed practical nurse.

After graduation Dorie worked for Dr. Coram as his nurse for several years. Later Dorie worked for Pack River Lumber Co. and W.I. Forest Products.

With her first paycheck from Pack River, she purchased her daughters 10-speed bikes. It took every penny of her check and it made her so happy.

After several years of working as a secretary for the mill, Dorie worked for Attorney Randy Day. Dorie was hard working and always took pride in what she did.

After years, Gene decided it was time to retire, so Dorie quit her job. They purchased a motorhome and began traveling.

But the love of family and the blessings of the grandchildren Jeremy Baker; Christopher, Brittany and Nicholas Schave; and Duane, Tyson and Chanalea Pennock brought them home often. Family was everything to Dorie, and she didn’t want to miss a moment of their lives.

The love she showed to all of us will carry on for generations. So many sitting here today have been blessed to be part of our family; our homes, hearts and arms will always be open to you all.

Dorie came out of retirement in 1982 and workrf as secretary for Attorney Pete Wilson for 20 years.

A few of her accomplishments included running the Bonners Ferry blood bank, heading the All-Class Reunion, and belonging to WHS women’s clinical trials and American Legion Auxiliary.

Dorie’s hobbies include crocheting, knitting, quilting and reading.

Blessed with great-grandsons Layne Andrew Pauling and Isaiah Duane Pennock, Dorie was expecting a third grandson in December, Easton Eugene.

If we could ask Dorie today what was her greatest accomplishment and joy through her life, without a thought she would tell it was her family.

Surviving Dorie are her son David and grandson Jeremy (Kaycee) Baker; daughter Sherri Ann (Greg) Carter and children Christopher, Brittany and Nicholas Schave; daughter Toni Marie (Larry) Pennock, son Tyson (Liz) and grandson Isaiah and daughter Chanalea and grandson Layne Pauling; grand-daughter Jennifer and Matthew Brakeman; sister Sharon (Steve) Bruno; brothers Ron and Mick Chappell and Gary Mercer (Jan); sister-in-law Carol Pluid; cousin and best friends Marla and Gary Bohne; and many nieces the nephews dear to her heart.

Dorie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, grandson Duane Pennock, parents, brothers Don and Jimmy Mercer, brother-in-law Buster Pluid and great-grandmother Vi Kestler. Many more were there to welcome her home.

This is a brief summary of Dorie’s full and blessed life. All who knew her knew what a hard and dedicated worker she was. She was ready when ever God was ready to take her home.

Family and friends may sign Dorie’s online guest book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.

Bonners Ferry Funeral Home handled arrangements.