Thelma Katherine Zimmerman Baker

Thelma Katherine Baker was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 16, 1933 a beloved daughter of Frank and Pearl Zimmerman, their only child. Thelma passed peacefully at her home on October 30, 2026. Mom is now reunited with her sweetheart.

Thelma’s education began at Liberty elementary school, moving onto Lincoln Jr. High and ended at graduation from South High in 1952.After Thelma’s graduation she worked at Grayson’s Department store. She worked in the billing office. After her employment at Grayson’s she attended Steven’s Henager College when she studied classes in Business Law, Accounting and Short hand.

On July 2, 1954 Thelma, her mother, father, aunt and uncle were involved in an automobile accident. Her dear mother sadly succumbed to injuries the following day. The trauma and injuries sustained cause life-long injuries to Thelma. Mom dealt with these the best she could and showed great courage and bravery throughout her life. Her mother’s death was very difficult for her and her father to deal with and affected them for the rest of their lives.

Mom served in the church as a Librarian and Primary teacher. She was a diligent and faithful visiting teacher. While living in Japan she would visit her three sisters and it would take nearly 12 hours to visit them. She would take the bus, the train, subway and walk to reach each sister; she was very dutiful in her callings.

As an only child she was blessed to live close to her cousins, which she enjoyed spending time with whom she enjoyed having fun and making memories with.

Mom met the man of her dreams through a mutual friend and neighbor, Mrs. Rodgers. Who lived across the street where Bob rented a room from Mrs. Rodgers. She introduced mom to Robert Baker. Well, as they say the rest is history. The romance blossomed and on February 1, 1958 they were married in Salt Lake City.

Dad said they lived a nomadic life with many moves across the globe; Mom was always supportive of dad and his career.

Mom and Dad began their life in Salt Lake City and quickly started a family of 4 daughters. Dad’s job took them across the country and around the globe. They travelled from Salt Lake City to California, Illinois, Washington back to California and Illinois, Oklahoma, Japan, Australia one more trip to Illinois and finally retiring in Utah. And in between these moves were various trips around the world. Mom’s favorite move was to Japan. She absolutely loved everything about living there.

Mom was the consummate homemaker, wife and mother, she loved to keep our home neat and tidy and ready to welcome family, we learned to cook from her, even though she didn’t think she was a great cook. She was! Mom also loved to bowl, and played on a bowling league and loved to play bridge.

Mom loved being creative, she enjoyed crafting, making 3D art work, pinecone wreaths, braided woolen rugs, painting figurines, sewing matching outfits for us girls. She mastered the art of Ikebana-Japanese flower arranging. She also learned how to make Kimekomi dolls, which many family members have. Mom’s greatest efforts came in the 1,000’s of quilts she made. She would help the YW who were graduating from High School with twin sized bed quilts they could take with them to college. She made blankets for new babies in her wards. Her gift of 100’s of blankets to Primary Children’s Hospital and to Shriners’ Hospital was a blessing to those children in need of a warm hug. Each of her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren have been blessed with a blanket from her.

Mom took great pride in all she created and passed this love onto her family.

After decades of quiet love and support from mom, dad made the decision to be baptized on January 14, 1995 a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This was a very sacred and happy day for our family. On July 2, 1996 they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Jordan River Temple.

In 2003 mom and dad served in the baptistery of the Jordan River Temple. They loved working and serving there. Their time serving was a great benefit to them both. They were then called to serve as missionaries teaching English to Spanish speaking families in Herriman Utah. They made some dear connections; even bringing some families to the waters of baptism.

Mom is quoted as saying “Bob and I supported each other in everything we did. We worked together side by side and enjoyed being together. Bob helped me out so much as well.”

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Pearl Zimmerman. Mom is now joyfully reunited with her eternal companion Bob, of 67 years, whom she so dearly missed. She is survived by her daughters, Karin (John) Orme, Debbie (Dan) Fauvell, Kathy (Ed) Burrows, and Lisa Ramos. She leaves behind 10 grandchildren and their spouses and 16 great grandchildren. She loved her family very much and only desires for them to live lives of integrity and love.

We extend our deepest and heartfelt appreciation to Renew Hospice in their tender care of mom the last months of her life; we especially thank Lindsey, Rachel and Lupe and Lisa. We also appreciate the care shown to our mother from the staff at Ashford Assisted Living Center these past three years.

As her daughters we would like to extend our sincerest appreciation for the love and prayers and support offered on mom’s behalf. We also are grateful for the love and support of family and friends that has been shown to our beloved mother Thelma Katherine Zimmerman.

Services will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens on November 6th, 2026. The viewing will start at 10am with an 11am chapel service to follow. The graveside service will also be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens after the chapel service a 1pm.