Obituary of Mary Joan Baker

Mary Joan H. BAKER (Herdeman)

Beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother

Age 96

8/22/1927 – 1/2/2024. Joan passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, but lives on in the hearts of her loving family and friends. She was born in Kentucky and grew up in Washington D.C. in a large and loving family. In 1955, she married and moved to Minnesota, and enjoyed living and working in Minnesota for the remainder of her life. She was a strong woman, wonderful mother and loyal friend.  A gifted family storyteller, knitter, and award-winning quilter, she was generous with her gifts to her children, grandchildren, and friends. Always up for any board game or a vigorous round of bridge, Joan bestowed constant love upon her children and grandchildren and taught them faith, tenacity, patience, resilience, a strong work ethic, the value of education, the importance of family, and many other life lessons. Preceded in death by parents Theodore A and Clare B (Moorman) Herdeman, siblings Grace Ray, Dorothea Kish, Judith Pearson, Theodore Herdeman, James Herdeman, Raymond Herdeman, brother-in-law Clare Isherwood, sister-in-law Elaine Isherwood, granddaughter Angelica Farraher, and many friends. Survived by daughters Emily Larson (James) and Beverly Farraher (Kevin); sons Charles (Karen) and William (Lori); grandchildren Mathew Larson, Madeline Baker, Rebecca Larson, Catherine Baker, Alexandra Farraher, Julia Farraher, and Clare Baker; great grandchild Finn Larson; and many more nieces and nephews.

Grateful thanks to the aides, nurses and doctors at St. John’s Hospital for their compassion and skilled care, and to all her family and friends for their support. A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 10:00 am; Contact Charles Baker 734-748-4100 if you would like to attend. Remembrances or memorials to Wingspan Life Resources of St. Paul (wingspanlife.org).