David Baker

Madison - David Merle Baker age 77 died peacefully on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at Agrace HospiceCare after a long struggle with leukemia. He was born in 1938 in Waterloo, Iowa to Merle and Doris (Pifer) Baker. He married the love of his life, Carol Horn, in 1959, a union that lasted 52 years and produced four children: Gregory, Douglas, Cynthia and Bradley. After an early childhood in Iowa he moved with his family to Wausau, Wi. where he graduated from Wausau Senior High in 1956. He continued his education at the University Extension in Wausau, Hamline University and UW Madison. His career consisted of management positions at Equifax and WPS Insurance from which he retired in 1995. He held a post retirement job at Sears West Towne until he retired again in 2003. Dave was a long time member of Mount Olive Lutheran church where he was privileged to serve in a number of leadership roles. Dave's passion was the Boy Scouts of America, with whom he served for over 50 years in leadership roles. He most recently served two terms as President of the Glacier's Edge Council and was currently on the Council Executive Board. His long career as a voluntary leader spanned different cities and numerous units. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award in 1989. A longtime supporter of the American Red Cross, he donated over 170 units of blood over the years. After his retirement he spent ten years as volunteer for the local Red Cross Chapter. A loyal Republican all his life, Dave was active in the Republican Party of Dane County, where he served as an officer for a number of years. He was a tireless supporter of candidates for public office. In 2015 he was awarded the Bovay Award for long time service to the party. He was a volunteer for the Road Home (IHN) and spent many hours helping homeless families. He was a Board member of the Wisconsin Coalition for Patient Directed Care. He served the United Way of Dane County as a member of an allocations committee. He was a trustee of the Spring Valley Cemetery in Edmund, which is the Baker family ancestral cemetery. He spent many loving hours there tending to the cemetery and gravestones. He will be buried next to his wife there. An avid outdoorsman, Dave enjoyed camping, canoeing, hunting, fishing and hiking. He was a great supporter of the Packers and Badgers and regularly attended races at Madison International Speedway.

Dave is survived by his children: Gregory (Jane), Verona; Douglas, Milwaukee; Cynthia (Corey) Pemberton, Mead, Co.; Bradley (Laura), Watertown; 9 grandchildren; Paul (Heather), Preston, Morgan, Joni, Thomas, Noah, Alex (AJ), Gabe and Dayne. He is further survived by a sister, Martha (Arland) Phelps, Vero Beach, FL; brother, Jonathan (Cathy) Baker, Plantation, FL; brother-in-law, James (Vickie) Horn, Carrollton, TX; sister-in-law, Margaret Seefeld, Lake Dallas, TX and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol, in 2011, his parents, a nephew and numerous extended relatives.

Funeral services will be held at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 110 N. Whitney Way, Madison on Monday, October 24, 2016 at 11:00 a.m., visitation will be prior to the service at 9:00 a.m., with Pastor Jason Zobel officiating. A family burial will be held at Spring Valley Cemetery in Edmund. The family wishes to thank the staff at Carbone Clinical Cancer Center, UW Hospital and the residents at Rosewood Villa for the loving care they gave in his final days. The family requests that memorials be contributed to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church or Glacier's Edge Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434