Billie Jean (Mikudik) Baker was born June 16, 1948, at Rapid City, SD to Harold and Betty (Deibert) Mikudik.

She attended country school near her parent's ranch, first at Stoneville School and then Lucerne School through the 8th grade, then attended and graduated high school in Sturgis. She then completed her first year of Business at Black Hills State College in Spearfish.

Billie Jean married Ed Baker on July 8th, 1967, at Sturgis, SD. They lived in Sturgis until 1971 when Ed and Billie Jean bought their "home place" south of Newell.

They raised livestock and crops and started a family on this place. After her fathers death in 1981, she assumed operation of her parent's family ranch near Stoneville, SD.

They operated this ranch successfully and in 1987 bought a ranch near Mud Butte, SD. From that time on she split her time and love of ranching and raising livestock between the places.

Billie Jean spent the last year of her life patiently waiting to receive the Century Farm designation for her home ranch having been in the family for 100 years.

Billie Jean was a wife and indispensable partner to Ed in all activities of ranching and life, and a wonderful mother to her two boys, then became a very proud grandmother as her boys had children of their own.

She enjoyed everything about ranching, especially calving and seeing all the calves frolicking in the spring. Even though springtime on the ranch was Billie Jean's favorite, she was still happy to see the end of branding day, after she had fed the crew a wonderful meal and somehow managed to keep all the help "in line" up at corrals at the same time.

She also found time to enjoy sewing and crocheting. She was an exceptional seamstress and enjoyed making clothes for herself, and her family, from the time she was young. She was also a member of Order of Eastern Star.

Billie Jean, 65, passed away peacefully at her home near Newell surrounded by her family on Friday, August 30, 2013, after a brief and heroic fight with cancer.

Survivors include her husband, Ed Baker, Newell; sons, Harold Baker, Newell, Gene (Casey) Baker, Belle Fourche; grandchildren, Tyrel and Jason Baker, Sydney and Zane Baker; and several nieces and nephews.

Billie Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Betty Mikudik.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood, SD, with Pastor David Baer and Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating. Burial follows at the Whitewood Cemetery. Visitation will be noon until 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Memorials have been established to the Order of Eastern Star and the Hospice of the Northern Hills.