Darrel E. Baker

Darrel E. Baker, 83, of Pender, NE died on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at the Pender Community Hospital in Pender, NE.  Memorial services for Darrel will be held on Friday, December 23, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender; Pastor Beverly Rautenberg-Panko will be officiating.  The visitation will begin one hour prior to the service on Friday morning.  Burial will be at a later date in the Bancroft Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.  Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home of Pender is in charge of the arrangements. Darrel was born on June 7, 1933 in Martinsburg, NE, the son of Elmer and Joy (Bombar) Baker.  He attended and graduated from Wakefield High School in Wakefield, NE.  Darrel attended Wayne State College for a short time and began working for Lorensen Lumber Yard in Pender, NE.  He worked there for 60 years.  On December 31, 1969, he married Cynthia Buchholz.  Darrel was a past Boy Scout Leader, and in his earlier years enjoyed bowling and roller skating.  He also loved carpentry, golf and watching the Hallmark Channel.  While working over the years, he also worked at Indian Trails and the West Point Vets Club. Darrel is survived by his wife Cynthia Baker of Pender, NE; daughters, Jennifer (Verne) Tyrrell and Cindy Ann Kubik of Pender, NE; sons, Steven Shemat of Calais, ME, Brian (Val) Baker of Wakefield, NE, Brad Baker of Pender, NE and John Shemat of Pierce, NE.  He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and four great great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Charlotte Custer and Beverly Lapic; and son, Vincent Shemat.