Gina Ann Baker

Your wings were ready, but our hearts were not.

Gina Ann Baker, 60 passed from this life on February 2, 2022, following her 7 year battle with cancer on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at her home, rural St. Edward, NE.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at the St. Edward Catholic Church, St. Edward, NE with Fr. Bill L'Heureux officiating. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday at the church with a 7 p.m. service.

Memorials are suggested to Farm 4 A Cure.  c/o First Bank and Trust of Fullerton, PO Box 205, St. Edward, NE 68660.

Miller-Levander Funeral Home in St. Edward, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Gina Ann Baker was born on October 20, 1961, in Genoa, NE to John N. and Virginia (Prorok) Kmiecik. At the age of 4 William (Bill) Schumacher became her Dad a few years after the unexpected loss of her father. She was baptized in Silver Creek, NE and confirmed at St. Edward Catholic Church.

She attended St. Edward Public School and graduated with the class of 1980. She then attended Hastings College receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services.

On September 29, 1984, Gina was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, David P. (Dave) Baker. Dave and Gina began their journey in Omaha, NE where they were Family teachers at Boys Town for 3 years where they started their family. They were then chosen to develop the Boys Town facility in Grand Island, NE. During this time Gina received her Master's Degree in Social Work from Kansas State University. She also traveled to other Boys Town facilities to train and help develop their programs. Gina also started the Wellness Center at Grand Island Senior High.

Gina was very involved and was an active leader in her kids activities including coaching softball as well as a Girl Scout Leader. She was definitely their biggest fan in all their adventures.

In 2000, Dave and Gina moved their family back to St. Edward, NE to reside at the family farm. Gina was a Licensed Mental Health Therapist at the Boone County Health Center in Albion, NE. She received the Department of the Year Award in 2017 and the "Caring Kind" Award by her co-workers in 2019. She served on the St. Edward school board for 17 years and was President for several of those years. Gina loved to host family celebrations as well as community and school events at the farm, especially the Farm 4 a Cure fundraiser. Gina was very active in the community she loved so much and was a natural leader.

She was a lifelong member of the Catholic church and current member of St. Edward Catholic Church, where she was a PRE Teacher (Grandma Purple), EME, Lector and member of the Altar Society.

Gina leaves behind a family who adores her, including the love of her life, husband, Dave Baker, daughter Amanda (Darren) Luebbe, and son Donny Baker all of St. Edward, NE; her mother Virginia Schumacher of St. Edward, NE . The sparkle in her eyes, grandchildren; Annelise, Davis, Johnny and Sheridan and her bonus daughters/nieces Maya and Gracie Baker; mother-in-law Donna Baker all of St. Edward, NE. Three brothers; John (Cindy) Kmiecik of Omaha, NE; Matt (Rajeana) Schumacher of Galena, KS; Paul (Diane) Schumacher of St. Edward, NE; sisters-in-law Connie (Rick) Werts of St. Edward, NE; Janell (Chuck) Micek of Pierce, NE; half-sister Deb (Chris) Nelson of Loveland, CO; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and great friends.

Gina was preceded in death by her father John N. Kmiecik, step-father William (Bill) Schumacher, father-in-law Don Baker, sister-in-law Sharon Baker and niece Gena Churchill.

As her family we are so happy that she is now healed and in no pain, but we grieve the hole her passing leaves in our hearts and lives. Gina was an amazing Daughter, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend...she will be missed.