Kimberly Ann Tucker Baker

Kimberly Ann Tucker Baker--our beautiful mother, grandmother, aunty, sister, and friend--finished her mortal journey and stepped through the veil on July 4, 2020. Throughout her life, she has been a wonderful example to all of faithfulness in affliction, patience in suffering, and trusting in God no matter the prognosis or timeline.

Kim was born on September 26, 1956, in Minneapolis, MN, to William Tucker and Lucille Tipton. She was the oldest of six children: Ron (Sharon) Tucker, Sandy (Derek) Hirning, Karen (Ed) Neumiller, Tina (Kenneth) Snell, and Bill (Deb) Tucker. She grew up in Minneapolis, Harlem, MT, and Fort Belknap, MT. She had great responsibilities in caring for her younger siblings, in which she took great pride.

Kim was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She joined the church in February 1978 after being taught by a sister missionary named Maile Loo, who later became her sister and best friend. After her conversion, Kim loved serving the Lord in her many callings, including Nursery leader, Primary worker, and her favorite of all, Librarian. She took her calling as a Librarian seriously, always ensuring that the programs were printed and the library was in order. Kim loved family history and with the help of her sister Atu Vaivaka, she was successful in finding many of her ancestors. Kim treasured her testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and sought to be like Him each day.
Kim’s most treasured callings while on this earth were those of mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. This is where she found her greatest joy.

Kim loved to spend time in Tennessee with her youngest son, Derek, and with the many friends who became her family. She spent many holidays there creating memories that will last a lifetime. She also loved being with her oldest son and daughter-in-law, Anson and Kahea Baker, and was proud of their beautiful family.

Grandma Kim loved to spend time with her Baker grandchildren. Much of it was spent tending, shuttling, helping with projects, cooking, cleaning, counseling, and serving her family. She enjoyed anything and everything that her grandchildren loved and was their "#1 Fan" at basketball, football, and volleyball games. Many times, she would use the wrong terms for a sport, yelling them out as loud as she could. Her grandchildren were always proud of their grandma and so grateful for her support. Grandma Kim loved going to their school Christmas concerts, graduations, and special programs. She was front and center at every one to take pictures and videos. Her phone had over 10,000 pictures and videos, mostly of her children and grandchildren. Even when she was not feeling her best, she continued to make it a priority to attend family gatherings, birthday parties, and ward activities because family meant everything to her. Just two weeks ago, through the tender mercies of the Lord, Grandma Kim attended one of her last family gatherings. She was able to be a witness at the baptism of one of her granddaughters--her little shadow--Kealoha Baker.

Grandma Kim was always known to her grandchildren's friends as Grandma Kim. She was not their Grandma by birth or blood, but she was their Grandma by love and kindness. In Grandma Kim’s own words, “If all I ever did in this life was to be Grandma to everyone no matter who they were, that would be the greatest honor.” She loved, loved, loved going to Grandparent’s Day at the local elementary school every year. She often spent the entire day going to six different classrooms for her own grandchildren as well as their cousins. She always kept every single drawing and story that her grandchildren made and wrote. They meant so much to her.

Grandma Kim is survived by her sister, Best Friend, and caregiver, Maile Loo, her children Anson William (Kahealani) Baker and Derek Gorman, grandchildren Kelly (Hannah) Baker, Kiana (AJ) Murray, Elder Kekoa Baker (Oregon Salem Mission), Kainoa, Kekai, Ava, Kealoha, and KimmiAnn Baker, great-grandchildren Malia and Kaison Murray, her hanai daughter Karen (Ao) Pauga and their children, her Tucker siblings, her hanai mother and siblings Phoebe Loo, Matt (Donna) Loo, Mark Loo, and Jim Poore, Martin (Lori) Heimuli and many nieces and nephews.
Kim was reunited with her parents, grandparents, hanai father and sister Stanley Loo and Momi Hemuli, nephew Anthony Neumiller, and many other beloved family and friends.

Her family would like to thank the numerous doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who provided excellent care for her over the last 18 years. We would like to thank Harmony Hospice for their care and support during the last two weeks of her life. We are eternally grateful for the support of loving friends and family during this time.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 9, 2020 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, UT. A viewing will be held from 9:00 - 10:30 am prior to the services.