Jean Baker is now in her Heavenly home. Jesus came to meet her on July 25th, and Mama is free and her mind is clear again.

Our dear Mama, Jean the Bean, Sweetcat, Grammy, and Gigi was a seamstress, a baker, a wallpaper hanger, a Sudoku puzzle solver, a photographer, and a cozy, comforting homemaker.

She was born in Gadsden, Alabama, and moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, when she was 5 years old. Her Lincoln High School years were filled with choir, swim club, and other activities.

She married our Dad, Bill (almost the boy next door—just two houses down), in 1961, and they were married for 65 wonderful years. Mama and Dad traveled and enjoyed the back roads, Airbnbs, jazz concerts, and bike rides together, seeing her sister, brothers, and cousins along the way.

Mama could do so many things, but that isn’t what defined her. Love is what defined our dearest Mama. She always listened well, served others, encouraged us, supported us, and laughed and cried with all of us. She had the best sense of humor and the tenderest of hearts.

Oh, how Mama loved babies! When dementia started to steal her away, the baby pictures of her great-grandchildren could always cheer her spirit and bring her back to us.

Mama joined Bible Study Fellowship to deepen her faith and learn more about Jesus. Mama loved Jesus and sang the hymns she knew by heart, even when clear speech was difficult for her. Mama served in many ways at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church. She loved her family and friends lovingly, loyally, and fiercely.

What a blessing Jean was to us all! Through our tears, we hold on to the promise of Jesus: “In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.” — John 14:2

We know Jesus fulfilled His promise to Mama. He has taken her to Heaven. What a beautiful way to remember her—whole, happy, and praising God forever!

Those who will wait here on earth and know they will see her again are: Bill, her loving and faithful husband of 65 years; daughter and son-in-law Anna and David Hanselmann; daughter Sarah and son-in-law Pat Wensel; grandchildren Lauren and Joel Guenther, Nick and Taytem Wensel, Devyn and Tom Healy, and Olivia and Ben Heggem; great-grandlambs Luna, Bash, Jamie, Theo, Beckett, and Oliver Guenther, June Healy, and Elijah Heggem; brother Ned Murphy; brother Michael Murphy and Catherine; and sister Carol and brother-in-law Ed Conway.

Greeting Mama in Heaven are her parents, Edward and Polly Murphy.

A Memorial Service will be held on September 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 8300 East Pointe, Lincoln, Nebraska.

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