Edna J. Baker

Edna J. Baker, 96, of Devils Lake, ND died on June 22, 2005 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Edna will be held on Monday, June 27, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Harold Ovre will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as casket bearers for Edna will be all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Music will be provided by Jordan Callahan, Soloist and Sid Bingaman, Organist Edna J. Thorson was born on April 4, 1909 on the family farm, rural Albert Lea, Minnesota the daughter of Sivert and Ellen (Ovre) Thorson. At the age of 12, Edna moved with her family to Lawton, ND, graduated from Lawton High School and later attended Aaker’s School of Business, Grand Forks. She then went to live with her sister on the Dahlen farm so that she could help with household chores and caring for the children. Edna was at one time married to Carl Dahlen whom she married in 1932 at Starkweather, ND. They established their home on the Dahlen farm, moving to Webster, ND in 1948 and to Devils Lake in 1949. On June 22, 1953, Edna was united in marriage to Albert M. Baker in Devils Lake where they established their home. Edna worked at Mercy Hospital for many years as a nursing assistant. She also worked at Sears Roebuck for several years and in 1959 Edna became the owner and operator of Baker’s Rest Haven and in the early sixties opened Baker’s North Home, both facilities were established to care for the elderly of the community. After retiring, Edna continued to volunteer at the Lake Region Lutheran Home and also delivered Meals on Wheels into her 80’s. Albert died on December 10, 1994. To say that Edna was very active in her community and church would be an understatement. Edna was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and the Faith and Care. She served as secretary-treasurer of the church council, served on the Altar Guild; Quilter’s Guild and was instrumental in the lefse making venture for the annual St. Olaf Bazaar. She was a member of the Rebakah’s and went through all the chairs and was a past noble grand. Edna, the oldest living member of Sons of Norway, Devils Lake, was also one of the first woman officers in the nation. She was an officer of the Business and Professional Women’s Organization also. If Edna had any spare time, she enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and gardening. Edna’s most treasured moments were always the time spent with her family. Edna is survived by Daughters: Vonnie King, Olympia, Washington Sonya Dahlen of Devils Lake Sons and Daughters-In-Law: Lyle and Agatha Baker also Devils Lake Jerome and Joyce Dahlen, Minnewaukan, ND Dean and Maria Dahlen, Las Vegas, Nevada Twenty Grandchildren Forty-Eight Great Grandchildren Eleven Great Great Grandchildren Sister-In-Law: Eleanor Thorson, East Grand Forks, Minnesota Edna was preceded in death by her husband, Albert; son and daughter-in-law, Clare and Patricia Dahlen; grandson, Dale Baker; brothers, Helmer, Alvin, Joe, Tilford and Leonard Thorson and a brother in infancy; sisters, Esther Berg, Stella Morque, Irene Dahlen, Olive Ivesdal and a sister in infancy.