Douglas Forest Baker, age 87 of Fort Peck, Montana passed away on June 9, 2021, at Daniels Memorial Healthcare Center in Scobey, MT. Doug was born in Wolf Point, MT on June 15, 1933, to Forest and Berniece (Bucholz) Baker. He attended elementary school at Sunnyside and graduated from Wolf Point High School. He went on to attend Northern Montana College in Havre, MT where he met his sweetie-pie Norma June Van De Riet. They were married on July 11, 1953, in Choteau, MT and spent the next 40 years of their life farming and raising cattle in the Sunnyside community south of Wolf Point. Their son Michael Douglas was born on August 31, 1954, and their daughter Christy Be on April 27, 1956. Doug & Normie June celebrated 61years of marriage.
While in college Doug drove the Great Falls delivery route for Eddy’s Bread of Havre. The benefits for a man with a sweet tooth and hungry roommates were an added bonus. He worked at the Farmers Union Elevator in Wolf Point, later serving on the board of directors and traveled northern McCone County as a grain bin inspector for the ASCS. Doug was a fan of WPHS sports especially the Wolves basketball teams. He enjoyed league bowling, woodworking, carpentry, hunting and fishing, couples volleyball, snowmobiling, wagon train daytrips, and even tried his luck at golfing when he retired. He was a lifetime member of the Montana Farmers Union, Elks Lodge #1764 and First Presbyterian Church of Wolf Point. Doug treasured his memories of time spent with his parents, grandparents, Baker and Bucholz uncles, aunts, cousins, neighbors and friends.
In 1993 Doug and Norma moved to Fort Peck to enjoy their golden years and to make treasured family memories at their Park Grove home and the lake. They were involved beyond measure with their grandkids and thoroughly enjoyed the endless miles traveled attending school events, church programs, rodeos, recitals and sports activities. Doug served on the Valley County Planning Board and was a member and Chairman of the Fort Peck Senior Citizens. He loved old tractors and wished later in life he could locate another “1941 Green Chevrolet” like the one he owned back in his college days. Doug enjoyed traveling the United States with Normie in their classic GMC, attending those wonderful Van De Riet Family Reunions and was always ready for a lively game of Pinochle.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, wife Norma, brother Marvin and his son, Mike.
He is survived by his daughter Christy (Jack) Stensland of Wolf Point. Daughter-in-law Ann Baker of Great Falls. Grandchildren Vandie (Marty) Buckingham of Miles City. Cole Baker, Becky Stensland, Meili Baker and J. D. (Kami) of Wolf Point. Great Grandchildren Morgan & Ellen Buckingham of Miles City, Madison Stensland, Paightyn, Tucker and Parker Stensland of Wolf Point. God-son Jon Sampson of Lincoln and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorials may be made to Shodair Children’s Hospital 2755 Colonial Drive, Helena, MT 59601
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday June 18, 2021
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday June 19, 2021
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday June 18, 2021
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday June 19, 2021
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
DAVID ALLEN says
So sorry o hear of Doug’s passing. As a neighbor in the sunnyside community, i knew him all of my life. My prayers go out to Christy, Jack, and all of your families.
Sherry & Nufry Boysun says
Uncle Doug I loved you to the moon and back. And look forward to the day I can get one of your big hugs.
And to Christy and all the family I am sorry for your loss. I know how much he touched each of your lives. Love you all!! Thanks
Sherry Boysun says
Please remove the thanks at the end of my comment
scott taylor says
Christy….Gail and I are so sorry to hear about your Dad….know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers……Scott and Gail..
Leatrice Spence says
So sorry for your loss.
Leatrice Kveseth Spence
Laura Wittenberg says
Christy, and all of your family.
My deepest sympathy in the loss of Doug. Your parents were great friends and wonderful people. I have many wonderful memories of days gone by. We had so much fun when visiting, playing cards and snowmobiling. Your in my thoughts and prayers. May God’s comfort bring you peace.
Love and Prayers to you.
Jarrell and Robin Schock says
It’s so hard to lose our parents. Sending prayers for you Christy and Jack and family in the loss of your dear father.
Tyler and Julie Cook says
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Gayle O'Tremba says
A wonderful neighbor from my childhood days. Remember one year when Grandpa Dick Rhoads had pneumonia and couldn’t get his crop in Doug headed up a group of neighbors to put his crop in. What a wonderful man he was and his wife Norma such a great person.
God bless the family. So sorry for the loss.
scott taylor says
Christy…Gail and I are so sorry to hear about your Dad…..our thoughts and prayers are with you…..Scott and Gail
Jerry Doornek says
Very sorry to hear of Dougs passing, my deepest sympathy to the entire family. From the Sunnyside Farmers Union meetings to the elevator board to selling Doug cracked corn for the birds and squirrels, never a more loyal co-op man. RIP
Jeanette Loucks says
I was so sorry to hear the news of your dad. Very hard to lose parents…My prayers are with all his family.
Rachel Moos says
What a loss for you and everyone who knew him! His passing will leave a big hole in your lives. We are very sorry he won’t be here for all of you, but know doubt where he is now !
Kathy Doornek says
Condolences to all of the Stensland and Baker families.
Mary Dillon says
My most sincere sympathy to all the family. Doug was such a kind man. He and Norm were good neighbors. Your family is remembered in my prayers Sending love — Mary Dillon
Jean Archdale says
I am so very sorry for your loss, it doesn’t matter how old we are when we have to say goodbye to them, it just hurts and we always miss them. In our hearts we know each one is at peace with the Lord but the hole in our heart just never fully heals. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Debbie (Balch) Ricker says
Condolences to All Max’s Family, Friends & Loved Ones..I’m So Sorry for Your Loss. Max was My Classmate & Good Friend during High School. He was Respectful, Supportive & Kind Hearted – Always Smiling & Liked to Tease! Thank You Max for the Memories that I will Cherish and I’m Honored for Your Friendship. Rest in Paradise – Class of 1987 – GO WOLVES!!! Until We Hug Again – Most Hugs, Respect and Love – Debbie (Balch) Ricker