Karen Baker Obituary

Karen F. Baker

Jan 13, 1958 - Sep 4, 2025

Lakeland, TN

Karen Ferguson Baker, 67, residing in Lakeland, Tennessee, passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon, September 4, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her family, after a long and complicated illness.

Karen was born January 13, 1958, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the late Chester Roy and Barbara Jo (Mattingly) Ferguson.

Karen was a 1976 graduate of Huron High School. She received nursing degrees from Miami Valley School of Nursing in Dayton and BGSU Firelands in Huron. She earned her master's degree in nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Karen proudly served in the Army Reserve Nurse Corps. She dedicated much of her career to caring for others, working as a nurse with the Department of Defense Educational Activity at Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, as well as in Montgomery, Alabama, and Columbus, Georgia. Karen's dedication and perseverance shone through in all that she did. She never gave up on what she set her mind to and was deeply committed to the people she cared for. In recognition of her outstanding service, she was honored as International School Nurse of the Year in 2014. A flag flew over the Pentagon in her honor.

A devoted member of Highland Heights Presbyterian Church in Lakeland, Karen lived a life grounded in faith and family. She enjoyed flower arranging, gardening, scrapbooking, school nursing, swimming, and most of all, time spent with her loved ones. Some of her favorite memories included visiting her parents in Florida, celebrating Christmas and Easter dinners, taking boat rides on Garner Lake, and relaxing by the pool. Karen especially loved the Lake Erie Islands area.

Karen is survived by her husband of 37 years, Dr. Joseph D. Baker II, whom she married August 27, 1988, in First Presbyterian Church of Huron. She is also survived by her daughter, Dr. Emily S. (Zach) Eckdahl of Brookfield, Wisconsin; son, Dr. Joseph Ferguson Baker of Las Vegas, Nevada; two grandchildren, Scarlett and Peyton Eckdahl; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

In addition to her parents, Karen is preceded in death by her sister, Cynthia Ann Ferguson.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Meadow Green Memorial Park in the Chapel of Resurrection, 2602 Bogart Road, Huron, with Pastor Wally Gilbert presiding. Burial will follow at Meadow Green Memorial Park. Services will be live-streamed via Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory's Facebook page.

Those wishing to contribute to Karen's memory may do so to one's favorite charity.

Condolences may be shared online at www.grofffuneralhomes.com, and a video of services will be uploaded to the Tribute Wall at a later date.