Gerlinde Elisabeth Baker

Gerlinde Elizabeth (Gudat) Baker, 87,  passed away on April 9, 2024, surrounded by many generations of family who adored her. A beloved mother to 3, grandmother to 9, and great and great-great grandmother to many more, Gerlinde loved deeply, spoke sweetly, and had an unforgettable sense of humor that will live on well beyond her passing. 

Gerlinde was born in Bielefeld, Germany on May 17, 1936. Not long after immigrating to Utah, she married her sweetheart David J. Baker on August 26, 1955 in the Salt Lake City Temple. 

Gerlinde had an eye for beauty. She was an artist. A gifted painter, skillful knitter, her family and friends will also remember her skills as an excellent dressmaker and seamstress—a talent that provided the clothes her children wore to school and a wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses for her daughters. Gerlinde played guitar and sang, too, volunteering at the Utah Developmental Center where she blended her love of country western with her trademark German accent. 

But beyond her talents, she will be remembered for her spirit. A matriarch through and through, Gerlinde loved nothing more than bringing family together, sharing laughs, and spreading love. 

Preceded in death by her sister Elke Balser, Gerlinde’s memory lives on through her brother Elmar Gudat, children Dori Argyle, Byron Baker, and Tina Hull, grandchildren Kristi, Kayli, Danielle, Brandon, Jameson, Lucas, Sarah, Austin, and Andrew, and two more generations of great and great-great-grandchildren. 

She will be celebrated and remembered on Saturday, April 20th, a visitation will be held at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery at 10AM, Her funeral service to follow at 11am, and a graveside service at noon. 

The address for the funeral is: 3115 Bengal Blvd Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121.