Feb. 20, 1946 - Sep. 14, 2024
Date of Service: Sep. 21, 2024
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Service Program
BURLEY – Linda Lee Baker, age 78, passed away peacefully at her home on September 14, 2024.
It was a wonderful winter day in the Watterson home when Linda Lee was born to Rex Wesley and Mary Virginia (Heyrend) Watterson on February 20, 1946. Virginia had an inclination that it could potentially be twins based on the size of her belly, and to their surprise, fifteen minutes later, her twin brother, Lynn, was born. Linda was the third of seven children.
Growing up in a large family, Linda and her siblings spent much of their time helping on the family farm. Whether tending to the animals, assisting in the garden, or simply enjoying the pleasures of rural life, they were always together. Family gatherings were filled with laughter, storytelling, big dinners, and music, which fostered a strong bond between them all. Linda often spoke fondly of long summer evenings spent riding horses with her siblings, racing through fields, and exploring the countryside.
Linda faced loss early on when her father, Rex, passed away unexpectedly when she was only 16. Some of her fondest memories were spending time with him on the farm. As a young girl, she would eagerly listen for him to wake up, help him put on his boots, comb his beautiful black hair, and head out to farm with him all day. She made sure to meet him at the door because she would be left home to work around the house if she were late.
Linda always enjoyed riding horses. You could often find her on her horse, Ginger, from dawn until dusk. She enjoyed taking drives to the mountains with a warm Coors Light in her purse, and most of all, she loved her time in front of a slot machine in Jackpot. She loved her Jackpot. She was in her own world there.
Linda met the love of her life, “Dragging on Main,” in Burley, Idaho. Years later, Linda married her sweetheart, Dwaine Dale Baker, on August 14, 1964. They spent 60 amazing years side by side.
Linda and Dwaine farmed in Golden Valley until 1996. She enjoyed driving the harvest trucks, helping on the farm, and driving all the large farm equipment. She always maintained a greenhouse on the farm. In 1988, they built their forever home together, and Linda took great pride in her yard. People often enjoyed driving by to admire her daisies, red snapdragons, and her beloved "mysterious purple flowers."
On May 10, 1967, Linda and Dwaine welcomed their son, Darin Dee. Linda was so proud of him. Linda cherished her role as a mother and grandmother, enjoying time with her family and supporting her nieces and nephews in all they did. She treasured her special relationship with her bonus boys, her nephews, Zane and Zack Gillette.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Rex and Virginia Watterson; her brothers, Larry, Dean, and Reed; and her sister, Colleen. She is survived by her sweetheart, Dwaine Baker; her son, Darin Dee (Michelle) Baker; and her three beautiful granddaughters, McKel Lee (Chris) Turney, McKenzi Kay (Casey) Miller, and Dylan Mika (Kage) Osterhout. She was also blessed with five great-grandchildren, whom she adored: Cash, Hebgen, Knox, Basin, and another sweet boy whom she is sending down from heaven in a few weeks. She is also survived by many other beloved family members including her twin brother, Lynn (Paula) Watterson; and her sister, Mary Ellen Baker.
Our family would like to express our deepest appreciation for the kind and loving care given to Linda and our family. We are forever grateful to Tanja Kroeker with Hospice Visions.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 21, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 E. 16th Street, in Burley, where family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, September 20, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday, prior to the service. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley.
After the burial, a Celebration of Life will be held at Morey’s Steakhouse in Burley.
A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/se-L-SRYqjo.
