Kindersley bids farewell to Ron and Cynthia Baker

By Joan Janzen

Ron Baker and his wife, Cynthia, are familiar faces in Kindersley, and they will be missed by so many in the community. The Bakers have decided to move to Calgary, where they can be closer to their kids, but they haven’t officially moved yet. The folks at Kindersley Alliance Church are having a send-off for their friends on Sunday, April 7th. There will be a potluck meal and an open mic where everyone can reminisce about Ron and Cynthia.

“We’ve been married 11 years, and Cynthia fits in well with the community. She loves painting and designing, and she does it really, really well,” Ron boasted about his wife. “When she retired last year, people still kept her phone number, hoping she would help them out.”

Cynthia’s design work and Ron’s renovation skills can be seen in the two-story heritage home they had moved into town a few years ago. They have sold the home to Pastor Grant Cotton and their family, who will be able to enjoy the work of love Ron and Cynthia put into their home.

“I had 45 boxes of files and photo albums,” Ron said. “It’s been interesting seeing what I’ve been involved in over the years.” His memories included 35 years of marriage with his wife, Jill, as well as being involved in many organizations throughout the years.

“I sat on the board that brought Caleb Village to town and was part of Kindersley Drug and Alcohol Awareness Wellness Network. I sat on that committee for a few years,” Ron recalled. “We put together a yearly program for teens in schools, talking to youth about drug and alcohol awareness. Currently, I direct a small church ministry centre across Canada and enjoy that.”

Ron has a life-long history in Kindersley, having been born in the old Kindersley Hospital in 1953. His grandfather homesteaded near Kindersley back in 1908. Ron’s parents sold the farm a few years after Ron was born, left Kindersley and moved to several different cities. Ron graduated from high school in Regina and went on to train for Christian ministry.

The first time Ron returned to Kindersley was in 1976, when he came to town to work in a ministry position and stayed until 1980. He returned to Kindersley a second time in 2005, where he served as senior pastor of the Kindersley Alliance Church for ten years. Although Ron officially retired in 2015, he didn’t stop contributing to the community in numerous ways, whether it was renovating, writing or speaking behind a pulpit.

“It’s a great small community where you can get to know people, and you can serve people. It’s possible to find that place in Kindersley,” Ron said.

We wish Ron and Cynthia well as they continue the next chapter of their lives. May they find a community of people where they can continue to share their numerous talents and willingness to serve others.