Ruth L. (Wallace) Baker

Ruth Luella (Wallace) Warnke Baker was born on September 11, 1930 in Long Pine, NE, and passed away February 13, 2025 in the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth, NE. Although she was the last of eleven children born to Rueben and Luella Wallace, she was the only one born in a hospital. She lived with her parents on the family homestead 13 miles south of Long Pine until moving to town in 1946. Ruth attended country school and then graduated from Long Pine High School in 1949. 

 Soon after that she married Stewart James Warnke in O’Neill, NE. To this union was born three children: Duane James, Donna Jean and Dean Stewart. They raised their family in Long Pine. Ruth worked at the rest home and the hotel, and for 20 years she worked in the café for Bonnie Davis. She also spent most of her life doing home care for the elderly. Her most prized memory was caring for her father and her husband, Stewart, who died a year apart. Ruth cherished that time, getting to know each of them in a special way. 

 After her husband died, Ruth lived in Colorado for five years. There she worked at one of the schools and was also a nanny. It was there she met and married Jay Baker in 1983. Shortly thereafter, they bought a home in Ainsworth and returned to Nebraska. Ruth continued to provide home care to the elderly. They joined the Assembly of God Church were Ruth taught Sunday school for many years. Jay died in 2011. Ruth eventually sold her home and moved to Trailside Apartments where she resided until she went to the Sandhills Care Center in January 2024. Church and family have always been important to Ruth. She has always been a caretaker and a spiritual giver. 

 Ruth is preceded in death by her parents; siblings; and husbands, Stewart and Jay; and great-grandson, Lauden Goochey.

 She is survived by her children, Duane (Deb) Warnke of Augusta, ME; Donna (Richard) Pirnie of Ainsworth; and Dean (Theresa) Warnke of Phillips, NE; step-children, Jennie Nora of Lawrence, KS; Steven Baker and Dottie (Wes) Pittington all of Casper, WY; six grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; along with nieces, nephews and other family members.

 Funeral Service was held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth with Pastor Gary Graesser as the officiant. The CD Music Selections of “Blessed Assurance” and “Old Rugged Cross” by Alan Jackson were played. The obituary and eulogy were read by Stacie Goochey. Warm comments and memories were shared by attendees of the service. Casketbearers were: Tydus Ditch, Eli Warnke, JR Venekamp, Cody Goochey, Scott Pirnie and Josh McGinn. Memorials were suggested to the Sandhills Care Center Activity Dept. or to the Ainsworth Assembly of God Church. Interment was in the Ainsworth Cemetery. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.