Cheri Diane Baker

Cheri Diane Leonard Baker, 79, of Pocatello, Idaho passed away from colon cancer on October 11, 2004 in Pocatello at Gateway Transitional Care Center. Cheri was born to Edward O. Leonard and Elaine Emma Hughard Leonard on March 25, 1945 at the old Pocatello General Hospital while her father was serving in WWII at sea as a naval officer. As a young girl she lived in Pocatello, then Oregon and Washington. After her parents divorced and her mother’s passing, she lived with her father and step-mother. She then moved back to Pocatello to live with her grandparents, Eugene and Georgia Leonard, and her aunt and uncle Harriet and Kenneth Lundburg on her grandfather’s farm on Bannock Highway. The farm is now part of Riverside Golf Course and Riverside Greens Subdivision. She enrolled at Pocatello High School (PHS) as a sophomore graduating with high academic honors with the Class of 1963. She loved her life on the farm, where she had a horse, and enjoyed riding through the nearby hills with her girlfriend. Her aunt Harriet had a major role in raising Cheri and remained a surrogate mother until her passing in 2000. Throughout Cheri’s life, if someone mistakenly pronounced her name other than SURE-EEE she would hastily correct them. As a young girl she enjoyed returning to Pocatello visiting her grandparents and often expressing fond memories of her granddad Leonard and grandfather Hughart. Cheri was proud to be a decedent of both the Leonard and Hughart families who were early Pocatello pioneers serving prominently in the history and growth of Pocatello, in its medical community and Idaho State University (ISU). Her grandfather Leonard was the founder of ISU’s College of Pharmacy. 

During high school Cheri worked at the Riverside Golf Course’s lunch counter, while attending ISU she worked for Kraft where she met her husband, Michael C. Baker. Cheri worked putting herself through college graduating from ISU with a degree in Elementary Education. She began her teaching career in the Pocatello School District in 1971 at Hawthorne Elementary located in the Hawthorne Junior High Building. When the new Wilcox Elementary School opened in 1975, Hawthorne Elementary ceased to exist, staff and students moved to the new Wilcox Elementary where Cheri taught until her retirement. During her career, she taught first and third grade retiring in 2004 after 33 years. She loved her students and enjoyed teaching; Cheri made a lasting impact on many young people’s lives.

Cheri and Michael were married in 1967, and enjoyed their life together for 46 years until his passing in 2013. In their younger years they enjoyed backpacking, skiing and camping as well as other activities. Michael in addition working at Kraft and later Heinz, was a musician who played guitar and sang in many local bands – Cheri supported him in his music endeavor. Cheri’s passion throughout her life was animals, especially turtles., birds, dogs as well as other critters. She also enjoyed reading and collecting inspirational clippings and books. Cheri had an inquisitive scientific mind always questioning how and why things worked; she was a tenacious reader, having hundreds of books on a wide range of subjects. 

Cheri was a longtime member of National and local Audubon, the Sawabi chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society, and enjoyed field trips of both organizations and monthly meetings. She was also a member of Southeast Idaho Retired Educators and the Bannock County Historical Society. Cheri enjoyed getting together with past school co-workers for breakfast and lunch 

In 2019 she became reacquainted with Bob Myers, a PHS classmate she met her sophomore year in their biology class where she sat in front of him, and according to him helped him pass the class. She and Bob began dating and enjoying each other’s company; taking trips, going to ISU sporting and culture events, attending Idaho State Civic Symphony performances, taking waltz dance lessons, going to dances, Razor riding with friends and many other activities. Cheri and Bob after both previously losing their spouses, her in 2013 and him in 2015, found happiness and love once again. 

Cheri is survived by her sister Candie Leonard of Puyallup, Washington, her step-children Todd Baker and Kris-Goldsby-Baker, two step-sisters and two cousins. She is also survived by her dog Brandi, her turtles: Crash, Throck Morton, Beauregard, Digger, 7 box turtles, and her birds Whimsy and Cosmo, all of whom have found new homes. 

A special thank you to her friends: Kathy Korba-Liable, Jane Thornley, Gaye Roberts, Lynette Evans and Linda Kingsley who spent time with Cheri during her illness. 

As per her wishes, Cheri was cremated under the care and direction of Manning Wheatley Funeral Home. Also, as per wishes her ashes will join that of her husband Michael. A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, November 13, between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm, at the Juniper Hills Country Club, 6600 Bannock Highway, Pocatello, ID. In lieu of flowers please give to a charity of your choice in Cheri’s name.