Karen L. Baker

Karen L. Baker, 64, of Omaha, formerly of Grand Island died Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at Methodist Hospital in Omaha after a battle with cancer with her family at her side. Services will be at 2:00 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church in Grand Island with Rev. Caroline Price-Gibson officiating. Burial will be at the Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday, September 22, 2012 from 4 to 8 pm at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. Memorials are suggested to the family who will then designate at a later date. Apfel Funeral Home is serving the family. Karen was born on September 23, 1947 in Genoa, NE, the daughter of Walter and Ollie (Marshall) Nelson. She grew up in Fullerton and graduated from Fullerton High School in 1965. She was looking forward celebrating her 65th birthday which would have been this Sunday. Karen was united in marriage to Larry Baker on September 22, 1968 at the First Presbyterian Church in Fullerton. The couple lived in Grand Island where she worked at the Ordinance Plant near Alda. She began working at St. Francis Medical Center in 1977. She worked in surgery, the lab and in the Cancer Treatment Center devoting a total of 26 years. The couple moved to Omaha in 2004 and Karen worked for Methodist Health Systems and in the cancer center until her health forced her to stop in April of 2012. Karen was a member of the Presbyterian Faith. She enjoyed going to garage sales, thrift stores, and the casinos and horse races with her husband. She was an avid dog lover along with enjoying music, her old records, antiques, taking trips with her husband, and spending time with her family. She especially enjoyed her time with her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband Larry Baker of Omaha, two daughters; Kala and Gerry Rojas of Grand Island and Kandra Wilson of Grand Island, 6 grandchildren; Jared Wilson, Andrew Rojas, Jacob Wilson, Matthew Rojas, Abby Rojas and Jadyn Wilson, all of Grand Island, three brothers; Lee Nelson of Fullerton, Dick and Marie Nelson of Columbus and Jim and Emily Nelson of Grand Island, one sister; Phyllis Peterson of Omaha, numerous nieces and nephews and her beloved dog; Sooner. Karen was a very hard working person and was known for being "the best" at her job as a Phlebotomist. She was very devoted and passionate about taking care of her patients over the years. She made many friends and formed relationships with the families of her patients and co-workers, which she cherished. Karen was also a very loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was very proud of her grandchildren and bragged about them over and over. She had a very special relationship with each one and many memories of going to dance recitals, baseball games, football games, and wrestling meets. She also loved her one on one time with each grandchild and spent time teaching them life lessons and giving them lots of advice. Karen will be remembered as a very caring and compassionate person who touched many lives. She is preceded in death by her parents and a former son-in-law Nick Wilson.