05/07/2026
Nancy L. Baker
Nancy Lou Baker, age 74, of Oshkosh, WI, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, WI, with her family by her side, and was reunited with her late husband, Dr. Ralph K. Baker.
Nancy was born on February 21, 1952, in Fond du Lac, daughter of Sidney and Arleen (Sommerfeldt) Sherwood. She graduated from Ripon High School in 1970, an ambitious farm girl who left Ripon shortly thereafter for the “big city,” where she earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in 1974, and later for the even bigger city, where she earned her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Throughout her professional career, Nancy worked as a social worker with Green Lake County and as a therapist in private practice at both Mental Health Consultants, alongside Ralph K. Baker, and at her own namesake practice Nancy L. Baker. Nancy supported an enormous range of populations from people with developmental disabilities to children and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, and grief.
Nancy was known – and will forever be remembered – as a devoted mother, a loyal sister, a fun aunt, a joyful grandmother, and a life-long friend. Nancy was also a jokester, an intellectual, a confidant, a party-thrower, a healer, a magician, a leader, a warrior, a rebel, and a matriarch for so many. She often travelled with an entourage of friends, primary among them, her sister Sue. While others may strive for minimalism, Nancy was unapologetically maximalist. She lived loud, in color or costume, ready to embark on an adventure or side quest at the drop of every silly hat she owned. In her big Oshkosh home, a visitor could find mountains of books, kitschy lamps, Aboriginal sculptures, portraits, a thimble collection, and her grandkids’ favorite novelties – several Pee-wee Herman dolls and Deedle Dudes. Nancy was the most fun, approachable, and open-hearted woman her loved ones have known. Even in her final days, she mostly smiled and giggled and understood all the jokes, just another memory to buoy the enormous fan club she leaves behind.
Nancy is survived by her son, Joshua Warren, and his dog Patchy; her sister, Sue (Rich) Kohl and her brother, Ralph (Donna) Sherwood; her niece, Angela (Brian) Pitman; her nephew, Christopher (Tracy) Kohl; her grand-nephews, Dominic Pitman and Miles Kohl and her grand-niece, Emma Kohl; her step-children, Eric (Amy) Baker, Thomas Baker, Christopher (Kelly) Baker, and Laura Jean (Ryan Ulrich) Baker; her twelve grandchildren: Denver Baker, Phoebe Baker, Camille Baker, Claire Baker, Lena Baker, Raina Baker, Irelyn Ulrich, Leo Ulrich, Sebastian Baker, Fern Ulrich, Francis Ulrich, and Gustav Ulrich; her sisters-in-law, Tamara (Terry) Liptow and their daughter, Tracy (Doug) Blank, as well as Valli Warren and her son, Spencer Lee; her brother-in-law, Keith Warren and his daughters, April and Pam; her grand-niece, Hailey Bloedow; nine Sommerfeldt cousins and their families; and a large circle of devoted friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sidney and Arleen Sherwood; sister, Anna Sherwood; husband, Dr. Ralph K. Baker; niece, Brenda Liptow; sister-in-law, Katie Warren; brother-in-law, Spencer Warren, and first husband, Larry Warren.
Visitation for Nancy will be held from 9:00 until 11:00 am on Monday, May 18, 2026, at Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ, 343 Scott St., Ripon, WI 54971.
Memorial service for Nancy will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, May 18, 2026, at Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ in Ripon, with Rev. Dr. Kevin P. Mundell officiating. You may view a livestream of the service at 11:00 am by visiting this link LIVESTREAM. Inurnment will follow at Hillside Cemetery, Ripon, WI. Memorials in her name may be directed to Joshua Warren and mailed to the funeral home, PO Box 371, Ripon, WI, or any charity organization focused on mental health awareness and treatment.
View Nancy L. Baker's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.