Bertha Baker was born on December 6, 1924 to Dries and Eibertji (Vande Pol) Fransman at their farm near Valley Springs, South Dakota.  Bertha grew up in the Hills, Minnesota and the Valley Springs area where she attended county school west of Hills until the 8th grade.  Bertha was baptized and gave her profession of faith at the Reformed Church in Valley Springs.  After her education, she helped on the family farm and also cleaned houses in Hills.  At a Young People’s event in Hills, Bertha met Harold Baker; they were married on November 3, 1948 at the Christian Reformed Church in Hills.  After their marriage, they made their home on the family farm north of Edgerton, Minnesota.  In 1985, they moved off of the farm and into Edgerton.  Harold preceded Bertha in death in 2004.  Bertha remained at their home until October 10, 2014 when she moved into the Edgebrook Estates Senior Housing.  On Friday, July 10, Bertha entered the Edgebrook Care Center where she stayed until her death on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at the age of 90 years, 7 months and 10 days.

Bertha was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton where she was active in the Christian Fellowship Ladies Aid and the Grow Group bible study.  She was a Calvinettes leader, volunteered as a “Green Shirt” for CRWRC and made many quilts for Hope Haven.  Bertha spent time working at the Thrift Store in Worthington, Minnesota and also the VIM Thrift Store in Pipestone, Minnesota.  For the church, Bertha folded and delivered bulletins as well as delivered Meals on Wheels.  She enjoyed sewing and quilting, playing cards, gardening, bird watching, fishing and traveling. 

Bertha will be lovingly remembered by her 5 children: Duane (Carol) Baker of Edgerton, Minnesota, Verlyn (Sandra) Baker of Dayton, Oregon, Marion (Ruth) Baker of Sheldon, Iowa, Eloise (Matthew) Lee of Clive, Iowa and Lynn (Terry) Holm of Brandon, South Dakota; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; brother, Clarence (Dorothy) Fransman of Crestwood, Illinois; and sister-in-law Joann Fransman of Hills, Minnesota. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Harold and brother Edward Fransman. 

Memorial Preferred to the First Christian Reformed Church Building Fund.