Janice Baker

Funeral services for Janice Baker were held on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Bonesteel, SD, with Pastor Samuel Crass officiating.

Music was provided by Linda Raasch, organist.

Casket bearers were Austin Kerner, Max Baker, Kole Baker, Wes York, Jered Bolling, and Kasey Baker. Honorary casket bearers were all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Interment was in the Highland Cemetery in Fairfax, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Janice Fay Baker was born March 6, 1952 in Burke, SD, to Leonard and Leola (Witt) Hoar.

Janice was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church and graduated in 1970 from Bonesteel High School. She went to Stewarts School of Cosmetology. In 1971, Bennie came back for leave from the Army in Texas, they had a speedy wedding and back to Texas they went. They then returned back to Fairfax where they started their family, raised hogs, and cattle, and milked cows. She had a beauty shop, Jan’s Beauty Shop. She made lifelong friendships that she treasured.

Janice’s love for Jesus was no doubt the most important part of her life, which she instilled into her children. She was active in Zion Lutheran Church, enjoyed time spent beautifying the church in renovations, painting alongside some pretty great folks. The coffee was always on.

Family was everything to her. Everything revolved around family, births, baptisms, birthdays, confirmations, graduations, weddings, family reunions and sometimes funerals. Losing their son and grandson were the toughest ones.

She had a love for the garden, fruits, vegetables, and flowers. She enjoyed sewing, she made clothes, crafts, and quilting. She enjoyed sharing all this with her grandkids. She also enjoyed learning new techniques. When grandkids would stay for a few days or weeks at a time, they got in on everything; baking cookies, rope making, sewing or a table games. She enjoyed playing piano and her husband played guitar.

She died April 25, 2024 at her home near Fairfax, SD. Janice is survived by her husband Benny of 52 years and 10 months; her children Julie (Steve) Kerner, Burke, SD and their children Mindy (Jerod) Bolling Clearwater, NE, and grandchildren Emerson, Micah, Lillian; Austin (Cheyanne) Kerner, Burke, SD, grandson Wyatt; Macie (Wesley) York, Burke, SD, grandson Waylon; Ava and Mattie Kerner, Burke, SD; daughter-in-law Becki, Fulton, SD and her children Maxton, Kole, Morgan; Mike (Amanda) Baker Mitchell SD, and their children EmmaRae, BayLee, OakLynn and Jackson Baker of Mitchell, SD; David Baker Mitchell SD; brothers: Jim Hoar, Tom (Denice) Scott and Jeff Hour; sisters: Marilyn (Fred) Bailey and Judy (Tim) Elshere; and numerous nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by their son Travis; infant grandson Boston; parents Leonard and Leola (Witt); step-father Lee Halverson; brother Paul Hoar; father in-law Clarence Baker; mother in-law Blanche Beem Baker; sisters-in-law: Betty Hoar, Becky Hour, Mildred Reiser, Shirley Baker, Gloria Rolston, Eleanor Richards, and Joyce McIntire; brothers- in-law: Lloyd Baker, Harold Rolston, Jim Richards, Peps McIntire and Herb Reiser.