Betty Baak wife of the late Dr. William Baak, mother of Dr. Steven (Julie) Baak of Saint Louis, Missouri; and Dr. Katherine (Douglas) Placek of Pennsylvania; grandfather of Sara Baak, Emma (Michael) Gentry, and Kristina Placek, and a dear friend to many passed away peacefully on January 15, 2023.

Betty graduated from Hibbing High School (Hibbing, Minnesota), and completed her undergraduate degree in Home Economics and married Bill Baak in 1954. They started married life stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Bill and Betty moved to Denver, Colorado where Bill completed his Residency in Child Psychiatry.  Bill and Betty moved to San Diego, California and lived in the same home for 47 years, raising their children and seeing their grandchildren swim in the backyard pool that Steve and Katie grew up enjoying.  Bill retired in 1999 and they purchased an RV and spent years traveling the country and summers fishing in Minnesota. 

In 2012 Bill and Betty moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and had many great years attending the grandkids high school events. Betty was a lifelong member of PEO, a women’s organization, that she developed deep friendships over decades. Betty loved to fish and went lake fishing with Bill for their honeymoon. Both their children were raised to share that love of the outdoors and patiently waiting for a bite on their hook. Betty was an accomplished cook, planning and making elaborate meals for family and friends. Some of Betty’s favorite moments in St. Louis were on the boat on the lake at her son Steve’s home. 

Betty cherished her late husband, celebrating 66 years of marriage to Bill, until she lost him in March of 2020.  She loved her children, three granddaughters, her extended Saint Louis and Pennsylvania families and the many special friends cultivated over the years. Betty lived with gusto, followed many interests and will be remembered, loved and very much missed, always. The family will mix Bill and Betty’s ashes in a private Celebration of Life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree, feed the birds or visit the Missouri Botanical Gardens.