Laura Baker

Laura Baker

November 1, 1957 – September 10, 2022

Laura Baker, 64, of Omaha, was a devoted mother, a caring daughter and sister, the perfect grandmother and a loving friend. Surrounded by friends and family, she died peacefully in her home on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.

Laura was born to Eugene and Betty Baker on Nov. 1, 1957, in York, Neb., but she spent most of her youth in Omaha. Her vivacious and energetic spirit was evident from childhood, whether she was creating new rules to beat her brothers in chess or celebrating the family’s adoption of the birds she found in the yard. Laura’s teenage years were spent with friends at the roller rink and movie theater. She graduated from Northwest High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Nebraska Wesleyan.

Family was always Laura’s first priority. She and Mark Donovan raised their three children – Galen, Megan and Shane – in a countryside home outside of Fort Calhoun. When she wasn’t entertaining the kids’ friends or taking care of their many pets, she was borrowing her bonus child (niece) Morgan and taking everyone on memorable family trips to Adventureland, Mahoney State Park and Disney World. Her kids’ birthdays were thoroughly (maybe excessively) celebrated, even well into adulthood. Laura’s meme and GIF skills were underdeveloped, but she kept the family group text chat lively nonetheless.

Laura worked for 40 years at ENCOR, where she helped provide services and resources to people with developmental disabilities to ensure they enjoyed fulfilled lives. She retired early from her job in 2020 just so she could babysit her new grandson, Simon. She always made sure her mom had everything she needed. Laura loved to read, play cards with friends, ride horses and cheer on the Huskers. She never passed up a good glass of wine, or a shot of tequila. She brought warmth and joy to every room she entered.

She is survived by her mother, Betty; children: Galen Donovan, Megan Nyatawa (Jon) and Shane Donovan; brothers, Doug Baker and David Baker; nieces: Morgan Maloy (Ben), Anna Baker, Stephanie (Raymond) Nicholson and Cari (Trenton) Gleason; nephew, Daniel Baker; grandchildren: Simon and Natalie Nyatawa, Florence and Max Maloy; partner, James Traylor. She was preceded in death by her father, Eugene.

VISITATION: Thursday, Sept. 15 from 5-7 p.m. at Heafey Hoffman Dworak Cutler Mortuaries, 7805 W. Center Rd.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE: Friday, Sept. 16 at 3 p.m. at Hanscom Park Pavilion, 3201 Woolworth Ave.

RECEPTION: 5 p.m. at My Way Lounge, 2425 N. 84th St.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Heartland German Shepard Rescue and Hearts United for Animals.