Kerri Lynn Baker

CORTLAND - Kerri Lynn Baker, 55, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 6, 2015 at home surrounded by her loving family, after a 19 month battle with a brain tumor. She was the daughter of the late Ervin and Jennis {Thorkelson} Tollefson.

Kerri was a Champion High School graduate, earned her bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education from Kent State University, and later received her master's degree from Youngstown State University in counseling. She had been employed for 33 years as a teacher, with most of her time spent in the Joseph Badger Elementary School system. She had an overwhelming passion for teaching and molding the lives of young children. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church. She enjoyed skiing with her family, antiquing, vacationing out west, riding her bike, kayaking, and loved Christmas.

Memories of Kerri will be carried on by husband, Cal Baker of Cortland, whom she married August 18, 1984; daughters, Chelsea Baker, Kasey (Brandon) Hines; granddaughter, Lydia Hines; her therapy dog, Chloe; sisters, Kris {Bill} Thorne of Cortland, Karen {Jim} Olmstead of Warren, Kathe Hazelkorn of Warren; and many other relatives and friends. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and nephew, Dennis R. Baker.

Family will receive friends on Friday, November 13, 2015 from 4-7:00 pm at McFarland & Son Funeral Home and on Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 9:30-11:00 am at the First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Park Ave, Warren. A Memorial Service will follow on Saturday at 11:00 am at the church with Pastor Denise Gundersen officiating.

In lieu of flowers, her family suggests contributions in Kerri's memory be made to the St. John Lutheran Church, 5734 Mahoning Ave NW, Warren, OH 44483.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland and Son Funeral and Cremation Services Co, 271 North Park Avenue, Warren, OH 44481, 330-393-9621. Please visit www.McFarlandCares.com to view this obituary, and send condolences.