Anderson Stevenson Wilke & Retz Funeral Home

Assisting the Montana communities of Helena, East Helena, Townsend, White Sulphur Springs, Montana City, Clancy & Lincoln

For Immediate Help Call 1.406.442.8520

In Memory Of

Earl R. ‘Rick’ Baker Jr., age 66, of Helena

October 13, 1954 – August 12, 2021

Earl “Rick” Richard Baker, Jr.

The morning of August 12th, 2021, the strongest, most stubborn, yet quietest man left us unexpectedly. Rick was 66 years old.

Rick Baker was born in Bozeman MT to Betty Jane and Earl “Dick” Richard Baker Sr.  He was the only son of three kids, brought home in a shoebox, as he was a preemie only weighing two pounds.

Rick attended public schools graduating from Helena High School in 1973. It was high school where he met the love of his life, Bonnie, and they married in 1976. They celebrated 45 years of marriage this year with no big celebration. Their daughters would say they celebrated every day, always kissing and saying I love you whenever they left each other, morning, noon or night, and going for Sunday drives every Sunday since we can remember.

Rick worked at Pacific Steel for the last 48 years. Through his job he made many friends, and even more people we don’t know, know him. He always said, “Don’t you have something to do, get back to work.” He was a hard-working, sometimes kind of gruff, gentle bib overall–wearing teddy bear.

Dad loved to spend time in the outdoors, fishing and he especially loved hunting.  As a man of few words, he might not be up for a long conversation, but bring up hunting stories or anything to do with his daughters or grandkids and he would brag the day away. He was a proud family man; everything he did was for his family. Until we see you again, dad, we will never forget, “Ok, say goodbye.”

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Betty Baker.

Rick is survived by his wife Bonnie; daughters, Brook (Shane) Feist; and Heather (Mike) Parmer; four grandkids, Kaleigh and Lauryn Feist, and Auston and Emmalee Parmer; sisters, Barb (Kevin) Crabtree; and Sharon (Dan) Kaberline; plus, numerous nieces, a nephew, aunts, uncles and cousins, plus so many friends.

Special thanks to Caitlin, the radiology technician in the hospital that was telling him about her husband shooting a ram on an Alaskan hunting trip. She provided us with a moment of seeing his eyes light up at a hunting story one last time. Also huge thanks to ninja nurse Hannah her care and concern so that we knew and understood exactly what was going on was truly calming. Lastly thank you to Dr. Osborne, she wanted so badly to help and when she came to tell us she couldn’t, her tears made the moment so much less medical and so much more about family.

A gathering with the family will be on Tuesday, August 31st from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Per Rick’s request, there will be no funeral service.

Donations in Rick’s name to Montana Hope Project, PO Box 5927, Helena, MT 59604 are suggested. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Rick.

Service Schedule

Family Receiving Friends

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday August 31, 2021

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Service Schedule

Family Receiving Friends

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday August 31, 2021

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

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Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own.

  2. What an amazing beautiful obituary that describes Rick so well. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ll be thinking about friends and family with love and positive energy during this painful time. RIP Rick.

  3. He was my most favorite Uncle. I have so many good memories of him. This obituary is beautiful . RIP Uncle Rick ❤️

  4. Bonnie and family. Kurt and I are so very sorry for your loss. Our hearts ache for your family. We ask Mary, Joseph, all the Angels and Saints, and you my brothers and sisters to pray for Rick to rest in peace and to provide comfort for his family in Jesus name, Amen.

  5. Bonnie, Brook, Heather, and family,

    We are so very sorry to hear about Rick. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Russ & Kelli Kaufman

  6. Rick you will be missed by many, I will always remember your jokes and smile. Rest In Peace my friend………

  7. I don’t make it to Pacific like I used to, but one thing was for sure, Rick liked to visit about hunting. The conversation usually started with “I saw your old man in here the other day”. Then it went to “did you get your elk yet” ? (During season of course). Rick was a good guy, just like his father. My condolences to the family ! 😞

  8. So sorry to hear he was a great guy always picked on my grandkids when we went to pacific he will be missed

  9. To a good man that we have known for many years . Rick and Darrel had lots of laughs at Pacific. Rest In Peace my friend.

  10. Bonnie, I’m so sorry you and your family are in my prayers. Hugs to you all.

  11. BONNIE AND FAMILY I AM SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. RICK MADE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE. HE ALWAYS MADE ME LAUGH WHEN HE CAME IN MY OFFICE. RIP RICK. YOU WILL BE MISSED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

  12. It was a highlight of mine when Rick would let me rummage around the iron pile for my welding projects,he truly was a teddy bear indisquise. So sorry for your loss.

  13. So sorry of Ricks passing my condolences to the family. Rick will always be remembered as a great kind person always willing to help and was always gracious to me. Rest in peace my friend!

  14. Bonnie, Sharon, Barb & Family, Hearing of Rick’s passing hit us like a ton of bricks. Norm immediately started reminiscing about taking his little next door neighbor buddy, fishing, hunting, & doing other fun things that kids did back then. As Norm said, “He was like my little brother.” His smile always covered his face from ear to ear. Whenever we ran into Rick, whether at Pacific or out and about, we knew the day would have a happy moment. There are no words strong enough to cover the sadness in our hearts. Our sincerest sympathy and prayers. RIP Rick, You have earned it.

  15. To the entire Baker family,

    With tears in our eyes and hearts we’re thinking of all of you. Rick was a very special person to us and will be truly missed.
    He always greeted me with “hello Smiley” every time we met and that is something I’ll miss. He would show Keith the “good stuff” that he thought we could use in the clinic and 99% of the time we could. Please let us know what we can do for you.

    Keith and Shar Stav

  16. To Bonnie, Brook, Heather, and the entire family, Samareh and I offer our deepest condolences for your loss. Right now, words escape me, but as been said, he may be lost, but definitely not forgotten. Rest in peace my friend.

  17. Are Prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Rick will surely be missed I was in Pacific not long ago asking him about retirement. he said there was to much to do maybe someday. Rest in Peace Our friend Rick

  18. Bonnie and girls, my sincere condolences for the loss of Rick. What a great person, husband, father and grandfather. I will keep you all in my prayers.
    Tom Erving

  19. We were so shocked and saddened to read about Rick. Lee always looked for Rick went he went to Pacific, and just saw him a few weeks ago. Rick would always kid Lee about getting a nugget from his gold mine! Our thoughts are with the whole family. So sorry. Lee and Patti Scott

  20. I always enjoyed having Rick help me with steel and fencing materials. We traded elk hunting stories and tall tales about everything that was “guy stuff.” Rick was a good hand, and I’m sorry to see him pass so young.

  21. Barb so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing when ever I came in with my sacks of cans he would give me a bad time that I was in his way when riding my bike down the frontage rd would laugh as he told he would run me over he would help me with my cans RIP Rick

  22. So sorry for your loss. I never knew Rick well but I always thought highly of him. I have done business with the family for over 44 years. May God be with you and you are in my prayers.

  23. Bonnie and girls,
    We are so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. I always smiled every time we would drive by your place. Finding your sole mate in high school is such a blessing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

  24. We are heart are with you at this most difficult time.. so sorry for your loss. Rick just helped us with our aluminum cans just a few weeks ago. He is also a distance cousin. This news is absolutely so sad and shocking.

  25. Bonnie and family,

    We are so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless

  26. Bonnie and family,
    We are so sorry to hear about Rick’s passing. I always enjoyed stopping in at Pacific and talking to Rick. He was one of the easiest going people I have ever met. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
    Jeff and Elaine Applin

  27. Barb and. Sharon in times like these, the heart feels so much, but words are hard to come by. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

  29. Barb and Kevin we are sorry to hear about your brother. Treasure all your memories of Rick in your heart and they will help you get through the days and months to follow. Thoughts and prayers are with you. Sending a big hug to both of you.

  30. Rick was always super courteous to me at Pacific Steel. At first, while working, I brought in lots of aluminum for recycling. After retirement, I brought in far less. Rick was always sensitive about me getting older, like him! We had good conversations!

    Thank you for the Bakers always being lovely people to me. I sold my truck and will miss the staff and my trips to recycle aluminum.

    With His blessings to all

  31. We are so very sorry to learn of Ricks passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family. May he rest in eternal peace.

  32. Only knew Rick from my recycling of aluminum shavings from my CNC machines. I liked him the moment we started talking about guns and hunting. I am so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to youi.

  33. Just don’t know what to say. I was just in to Pacific and Rick was always asking about my cabin and hunting. Bonnie our hearts and prayers are with you and the family.

  34. We are so sorry for your loss. Did a lot of business with Rick over the years at Pacific. He always had a smile, hand shake, and time to visit. He’ll definitely be missed in our community. Our sincere sympathy and prayers.

  35. So sorry to here of Ricks passing . The Schatz family has been a steady user of Pacific for years. Rick was always a pleasure to see and visit with . Like his story says very quite but very friendly. Myrlin &Joanne Schatz Family

  36. Barb and Kevin, Heather and Mike
    Tom and I are so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. We want you to know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Rick was a wonderful guy and he will be misses

  37. So sad to hear of Ricks passing. He was always the happiest coming through the Transfer Station with Bonnie, and I counted on seeing “Mr. Baker” when I recycled my cans (He told me – call me Mr. Baker). Chit chat with him was a big part of a Pacific visit. He will be missed. My deepest condolences to the family.

  39. Bonnie—Sharon-Barb- & families Our Sincere condolences on the recent passing of Rick . We were very sad to hear of your loss! Take care. Marie Hargrove- Sherri Hargrove Gentry -Karen Hargrove Webb- Kym Hargrove .

  40. Barb and family – Roger and I are deeply saddened to hear of Rick’s passing. Rick was one of the most friendliest and nicest guys that always made it such a pleasure to meet up with him whether recycling aluminum or out and about (standing in line at convenience store with beer in each of our hands). Roger and Rick always had a bet on who would draw that darnable sheep tag first – after 47 years neither of us still have. I was always greeted as “hey Trouble what you up to now”. My kids would ask “doesnt he know your real name” and I would say “thats my other special name given to me by Rick”. The world will be missing one of the good guys and the angels will be welcoming one of the best. RIP Rick you will not be forgotten.

  42. I mourn at the loss.of Rick.the son of Dick,a most excellent man of the family of Baker.Much Beloved,The best of the best i never heard him complain or brag.He was Noble Kind and Generous my friend.a light has gone out of our lives.But not out of our memories of the way he was.i weep but I thank God I was blessed to have known Him.

  43. IM SURE GONNA MISS YOU RICK. WHEN I NEEDED HELP AT PACIFIC UNLOADING MY TRUCK YOU WERE ALWAYS THEE JOLLY ON THE SPOT. BUT YOUR AT PEACE NOW AND WATCHING OVER US….. RIP

  44. My condolences to all Rick’s family. I had the pleasure to see Rick at Pacific from time to time for the last 46 years. Great guy ! I will miss him.

  45. Rick what can I say buddy coming into Pacific and hearing you say what’s going on trouble or how are ya kid will be missed tremendously.
    Working alongside and building that relationship with you will be something that I’ll cherish for the rest of my days your patience and knowledge are very much appreciated teaching and investing your time into me will never be forgotten. Until next time old friend we’ll take it from here stay out of trouble up there buddy

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