Susanne M. Baker

Susanne Marie Baker, age 87, passed away on January 25, 2026, at Serenity Home in Oregon, IL. She was born on August 2, 1938, in Neosho Rapids, KS, the daughter of Joseph and Alverta (Lynn) VanGundy, Sr.

Susanne was united in marriage on June 6, 1959, at the Plano Methodist Church, in Plano, IL, to Robert A. Baker, Sr., and they happily spent the next 48 years of their lives together. She was employed for most of her working life in The Waterman Construction Company in Waterman, IL, helping in the office of the family business. She also worked as a nurse, ran a décor shop with her sister called Country Artists, and was a floral arranger at Jewel in “retirement.”

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt who will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Her true passion was working with flowers and interior décor. She loved to follow her boys, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in their endeavors. She spent her life collecting antiques and acquiring objects she loved to display. She would often say, “I’ve been on a treasure hunt my whole life.”

Susanne is survived by her sons, Robert (Sherri) Baker, Jr. of Byron, IL and Jeffrey Lynn (Audra) Baker of Kimberling City, MO; her grandchildren, Brooke (Bryan) Alderson, Kylie (Jared) Eden, and Jeffrey Baker, Jr., Nelson (Mara) Baker, and Nolan (Zhane) Baker; and six great-grandchildren. Se is also survived by her sister, Carol Bivins of Big Rock, IL; her brother, Jospeh VanGundy, Jr. of Plano, IL; and her dear friend and sister-in-law Holle VanGundy of Plano, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Alverta VanGundy, Sr.; her husband, Robert A. Baker, Sr.; and her infant son, Bryan Lynn Baker.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Monday, February 2, 2026 at the Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Byron, IL. A memorial service will follow the visitation. Interment will be private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Susanne’s memory to the Neosho Rapids Memorial United Methodist Church located at 137 S. Commercial St., Neosho Rapids, KS 66864.