Mrs. Jami Lynn Baker, 62, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at the Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart amongst those who loved her on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 12:06 pm following an extended illness. To be honest, Jami had always expected to choke to death on gummi bears so the family could simply say she was killed by bears and leave it at that. She was born in Hastings, MI on September 16, 1958 and was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. James and Joann (Ranger) Christensen of Hastings. On January 4, 1983, Jami married Ronald L. Baker in Elkhart. Although he survives at home after almost 40 wonderful years together, Jami apparently got the last word as she left Ron without telling him where she hid the TV remote. Jami would always say she and Ron were married for better or for worse; he couldn’t have done better, and Jami couldn’t have done worse. But all kidding aside, after nearly 40 years they never once had an argument serious enough to warrant a divorce. Murder, maybe, but never a divorce.
Also surviving is her daughter Christy (John) Ritchie of Elkhart; brothers Jim (Val) of Ohio, Joel (Amy) of Lansing, MI and Jon (Jean) Christensen of Allendale, MI; grandchildren Zoe Hurley, Zeke Anderson and Zander Ritchie, niece Laura (Matt) Knepper of Elkhart and a host of loving extended family, friends and a long list of rather nefarious characters most likely affiliated with her daughter and son-in-law’s motorcycle associates. She also had an obese pet parrot who preceded her in death. His passing was a real weight off of her shoulders.
Jami’s life will be celebrated at Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Elkhart beginning with a gathering of friends and family on Saturday, January 23 from 11 am to 12 noon, followed by a service at 12:00 noon. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. Pastor Neil Davis, chaplain for the Center for Hospice will officiate. Please remember that Elkhart County is still observing a Covid-19 capacity limit of 25 persons in the building at a time, so wear a mask and be prepared for a slight delay if many people attend.
Jami spent over 25 years in business with her husband, Ron, as county title and abstract searchers for their company known as Michiana Searchers, Inc. It simply cannot be expressed enough that Jami’s exuberant sense of humor paired with the fact that she never knew a stranger made her unique, charming and just plain fun to be around. She always enjoyed a good joke or pun, and if the moment was too serious, she’d inject some of her patented “Jami-isms” to liven things up a bit. In fact, her killer puns were probably the death of her. She simply adored her grandchildren and tried to spend time with them whenever she could. She was also a knowledgeable wine consultant and a Sunday School teacher, but most think the Sunday school thing was a cover for being a mob bookie or a biker moll.
Family and friends are encouraged to browse the funeral home’s website, where one can share the obituary, leave condolences for the family, order flowers, get directions and more. Memorial donations in Jami’s memory may be given to the Center for Hospice Care of Elkhart County or to cover for the eventuality that her daughter Christy will sooner or later be needing bail money. Again.
“Treat each day as your last, ‘cause one day you’re gonna be right…”
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