Joseph H. Baker

Joseph H. Baker, (Joe), 95, died peacefully early February 1, 2024.  He had been surrounded by family and music for several days while in hospice care.  

Joe was a family man before all else.  He adored his wife of 71 years, Lois, who was by his side when he passed. They met at an Arthur Murry Dance studio and continued dancing until just recently.  He loved his family more than anything else and enjoyed spending time with their four children, their spouses, and many of his grandchildren.  

Joe served in the last years of World War II in the United States Navy.  He attended a WWII Honor Flight to Washington D.C. a number of years ago.  He thoroughly enjoyed his experience and was grateful for the opportunity.  After that trip his new WWII hat rarely left his head when outside.  

Joe loved the outdoors and the Mississippi River in particular. When his family was young, he made sure that they tent-camped for at least a week every summer on the islands near La Crosse.  He taught all his children (and countless others) how to waterski on the river.   Back in the 1970’s he was involved in the origins of the La Crosse Water Ski Club.  Recently, he and Lois loved to watch the club practice on the Black River.   

Joe was the local distributor for Old Dutch Foods for 35 years prior to retiring in 1990.   He then went on to drive buses for Laidlaw Bus Lines for more than a decade.  He loved all the trips that Laidlaw sent him on all over the Midwest and was very proud of his skill driving large vehicles.  Joe never stopped driving and particularly loved the eight different Volkswagen Beetles he owned throughout his life. 

He had a talent for woodworking and carpentry.  Joe handmade many of the pieces of furniture in their home. Prior to retiring, he also bought, repaired and sold many houses in the La Crosse area.   He was proud of his self-taught carpentry skills and “flipped” multiple houses prior to it becoming popular. 

Joe and Lois were snowbirds in Florida for many years and enjoyed the warmth and sunshine that area had to offer.   While in Florida, Joe loved to ride bikes and paint clown portraits.  The family has a collection of beautiful hand painted clowns which they wish to share at his celebration of life on March 6^th.  

The family wishes to thank the Hospice and Palliative care team at Gunderson Health Systems Hospital.  Their compassion and thoughtfulness will never be forgotten. Joe is survived by Lois, his wife, his four children Tom (Christine), Randy (Carrie Beth), Trish (Daniel), and Mark (Linda).  He has eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.  

A service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church on Wednesday, March 6^th, 2024, with visitation starting at 10:30 a.m.  

The family asks that any donations be made in Joe’s name be to the Gundersen Foundation at https://www.gundersenhealth.org/foundation, or a charity of choice.