Lillian Gertrude Frasch (Trudy) Baker

LILLIAN GERTRUDE (TRUDY) FRASCH BAKER was born August 14, 1929 and died on January 2, 2015 at the age of 85. Trudy was born in San Francisco to German immigrants, Kathe and Christian Frasch and was an only child. She attended school in Vallejo, CA where her parents owned a bakery. In 1944 the family moved and purchased a bakery in Sebastopol, CA. Trudy entered Analy High School in the 9th grade and graduated in 1947. Before school each morning she fried donuts and made dinner rolls for the bakery. During those years she was active in Sebastopol's Chapter of Rainbow Girls and school functions. In 1947, she left Sebastopol and attended San Jose State College where she graduated in 1951 with a BA in Education. During the summer months of college she would return to Sebastopol and worked as a swim instructor, life guard, and recreation leader at Ives Park. She also worked the night shift at the Apple Dryer. It was during these summers that she met her husband, Art Baker. After graduation Trudy stayed in San Jose and taught the next three years at the elementary level. Art joined her and they were married in 1952. They had five children: Timothy Arthur Baker, Linda Kathleen Dickson, Thomas Alan Baker, Janet Johnson Sturkey, and Matthew Dennis Baker. Trudy often jokingly said that every time she signed a new teaching contract she found herself pregnant, so she decided not to sign any future contracts. In 1962, Art and Trudy moved to a small farm on the outskirts of Petaluma. In 1963, she took on what she called one of the hardest jobs in teaching and became a substitute teacher for pre-school thru eighth grade. She taught several subjects including Spanish, Art, Music, Special Education, and even Boy's Shop until she retired in 1998. After her retirement Trudy traveled the world and was an active member of PEO and the California State Retirement System. She leaves 12 grandchildren; Katie Simmons, Tracy Simmons, Pam Goselin, Alan Dickson, Jennifer Silvers, Whitney Dickson, Madeline Baker, Spencer Baker, Lauren Baker, Kaden Baker, Charlie Baker, and Doug Baker; and 4 great granddaughters Adela Carrillo, Anna Sage Goselin, Heidi Cox, and Hazel Goselin. On January 9,, 2015, a celebration of life will be held in her honor at the PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY; 850 Keokuk Street, Petaluma, at 11:00AM. There will be a reception after the service. Trudy requested that in lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Rebuild Together Petaluma, 402 Petaluma Blvd. No., Petaluma, CA 94952.