Phyllis Marie Baker – mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother – passed away on February 25, 2024, in Claremont, California, at the age of 105. Born on June 16, 1918, in Emmetsburg, Iowa, she was the daughter of Ivan and Vera Jacobsen. Phyllis spent her early years in Iowa and then moved to Chicago, where she grew up in the city and graduated from Fenger High School.
Phyllis met and married Warren “Bud” Baker, a professional and semi-professional baseball player, in 1938, and they spent 53 years together. He was a semi-professional and professional baseball player, and Phyllis and “Bud” spent several happy years living the baseball life. Many great stories were told of this time! Phyllis was a lifelong White Sox fan and rarely missed a game on radio or TV. She knew all the players, their stats, and the final scores of the games. Her prodigious memory extended beyond baseball, as well. Phyllis remembered everything. If a friend or family member wanted to know about an event from the past, they could ask Phyllis. Her memory was good to the end.
Phyllis and Bud settled down in Peotone in the late 1940s. During the next 70-plus years, Phyllis was thoroughly involved in nearly all aspects of the community, including its civic clubs, patriotic organizations, church functions, and local sports. She led the Peotone Women’s Club for many years, participated in American Legion Auxiliary activities, faithfully attended the Peotone United Methodist Church, arranged the local Meals on Wheels program, and was a founding member of the Peotone Historical Society.
Phyllis was also an enthusiastic golfer, who belonged to the Minne Monesse Ladies’ League. When she dressed up as Phyllis Diller for a golf event, she did so with such a striking resemblance and mannerisms that it was truly hilarious. Bud worked in the 1950s to form the Little League in Peotone and build the park baseball fields, with Phyllis right there with him. Bud was the Mayor of Peotone for several years, and Phyllis was truly his partner in so many ways. Her family often called her the “First Lady,” as she had many ideas, suggestions, and tips on how to improve Peotone. She was well known and loved in the community.
One of the wonderful qualities of Phyllis was her love of friends and family. The holiday meals Phyllis and her relatives hosted in her early years were legendary, with everyone gathered around the table. She held her family close and kept in touch with greeting cards, letters, and phone calls. She never forgot a birthday, anniversary, or other special event and will be remembered for her love of people, her children and grandchildren, and her enduring desire to help others.
Phyllis is survived by her son, Jerry (Marianne) Baker; daughter, Judith (Michael) Fontanetta; son, Corey (Kathy) Baker; grandchildren, Josh (Carly) Baker, Rebecca Spennetta, Sara (Tim) Switzer, Ashley (Cyrus) Moshiri, Jeff (Brittany) Baker, and Julie (Jorge) Ruan; and great-grandchildren, Mike Pruchnicki, Matt, John, and Camryn Baker, Christian Spennetta, Spencer and Wyatt Switzer, and Noelle and Lia Moshiri. She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren “Bud” Baker; brothers, Jack Jacobsen, Spencer Jacobsen, and Wayne Jacobsen; stepmother, Gladys Jacobsen; and her parents.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 23, at Fedde-Helfrich-Cross Funeral Home, 112 W. Main Street, Peotone, from noon to 2 p.m., with a memorial service following at 2 p.m., and Rev. Richard Young officiating. Phyllis lived a long, full life, and friends and family are invited to bring an anecdote or remembrance to share at the service.
Memorials in her name may be made to the Peotone United Methodist Church. Share a memory at www.feddehelfrichcrossfh.com.