Ricky (Rick) Alan Baker, 68, a loving husband, father, brother, and friend to many, passed away at St. Catherine’s Living Center on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
Rick was born in Breckenridge, MN, on June 30, 1957, to Arlene (Johannesmeyer) and Henry Baker. As an infant, Rick lived on the Johannesmeyer family farm in rural Barney, ND, before moving to Wahpeton, ND. In 1959, the family moved to Denver, CO, where they resided until moving back to Wahpeton in 1965 to the home Rick would reside in across from the Baseball fields throughout most of his adult life.
Rick attended Wahpeton High School. Throughout his high school years, he worked for the Terrace Lanes bowling alley in Wahpeton. After graduating from high school, Rick began a career with Wahpeton Fryn’ Pan Family Restaurant, where he eventually transferred to manage the Fryn’ Pan in Sioux Falls, SD, for a couple of years. Eventually, Rick moved back to his family home in Wahpeton, ND, and continued his career with Fryn’ Pan and began driving school bus for the Wahpeton School District. Rick had many great stories of driving bus, his rural kids, and even more stories about his bus adventures taking kids to various events out of town.
On May 19, 2006, Rick married the love of his life, Victoria. Together, Rick and Victoria raised their daughter, Sandra, in his childhood home in Wahpeton. The family of three loved to travel, going on frequent vacations like Las Vegas, Omaha, and Duluth. As Rick’s health worsened, so did his ability to travel, so the family found joy in other simpler activities close to home. Often, you would find Rick at Simonson’s gas station gossiping with the locals, purchasing lottery tickets, scootering around the neighborhood, visiting with anyone who was willing to lend an ear, or taking his daughter, Sandra, to the park and zoo.
Rick is survived by his wife, Victoria; daughter, Sandra Baker; brother, Kenneth (Joyce) Baker, nephews, Shane (Rose) Ottmar, Steve (Dawn) Ottmar, Mike (Kathy) Formaneck, Greg (Angie) Formaneck, and Dave (Michelle) Formaneck; nieces, Tonya (Patrick) Hoard, Tara (Jeff) Inman, Kayla (Wade) Maudal, and Kari (Robert) Patton; as well as many great-nephews, great nieces, and countless friends
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arlene and Henry Baker; brother, Randy Lee Baker; and sisters, Donna Mae Ottmar and Linda Mae Formaneck.
Visitation will be at 12:00 pm on Saturday, November 1, 2025, followed by a funeral at 1:00 pm at Faith Church in Wahpeton, ND.
Rick will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, and Godfather.
