Julie Ann Baker Phillips, 44, of West Olive, MI died Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018 at her home with her husband Dave, parents and friends at her side.

A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Julie was born on May 30, 1973 to Joe E. and Linda K. (Deermer) Baker in O'Neill.

The birth of your children is always a great joy. But little Julie's Great-great-aunt Gladys Baker Oxford (born May 5, 1893) was absolutely thrilled. There were 80 years 25 days between their births and were the only Baker girls born in that 80-year time frame.

Julie attended Chambers Public School K-12, graduating as an honor student. According to the Chambers school counselor at graduation, Julie had been awarded the most prestigious of scholarships ever given one student up to that point in time at Chambers Public School.

She attended Midland Lutheran College where she was an honor student and played college softball. She transferred to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and earned her master's degree with honors to be a science teacher.

The last thing Julie ever wanted to be was a science teacher, but her professor/advisor at UNL had seen her potential in his classes and with the students she tutored. So at his urging to try it, she did and found her calling.

She taught at Hampton and Plattsmouth where she was also head basketball coach. Moving to Michigan she taught at Ionia several years before moving to England.

Julie returned to Michigan teaching chemistry and physics at Forrest Hills Northern High School in Grand Rapids. She kept teaching even after the cancer diagnosis, the surgeries and all the chemo treatments that followed. She was determined to live her life to the fullest. 

During this time she married the love of her life Dave.

Julie's love of traveling took her to Europe, Greece, Amsterdam, Puerto Vallarta and cruising to Alaska.

Knowing how she loved to travel, Dave gave her the gift of one more trip. It was not just a pack and go. Dave arranged for all of Julie's meds and many medical supplies to be there when they arrived in Puerto Rico. Julie was absolutely thrilled and just able to go one last time.

Julie played on state volleyball and state basketball runner-up teams in high school. She was the catcher on state championship and runner-up softball teams for O'Neill. During one state softball tournament in North Platte, Julie hit the only over the fence home run in the tournament. She also sometimes played softball with the O'Neill women's team.

She was noted by fellow teachers and students as being a very conscientious teacher. One that they admired. A person that they strived to follow.

Julie placed family, friends, learning, mindfulness and exploration of life as a priority. She sought out the best in everyone. She worked hard to be the best she could be. Julie deeply loved her family and friends.

She enjoyed freehand painting of pictures, playing board games, running, kayaking, cross country skiing, yoga, flower and vegetable gardening, entertaining and cooking for family and friends, concerts and traveling with her husband Dave.

Julie's constant companions were Lily the Doberman and Lacy the Lab. They could always be found laying close to Julie. They were a great comfort to us all in their quiet respectful ways these last months with Julie.

Julie is survived by her husband Dave; her parents of Chambers; two younger brothers Sam Baker of rural Ewing and Brian (Kerry) Baker and three nephews Deitrick, Zander and Lexand Baker of Wilbur; two stepchildren Jerry and Orian Phillips; her mother-in-law Karen Phillips; one sister-in-law Deanne (Bill) Pollock and nephew Ryan and niece Allyson Pollock; two aunts Marian Cook and Marge Ferris; one uncle Larry Deermer; her canine friends Lilly and Lacy; cousins; wonderful amazing friends; and her many students.

She was preceded in death by her father-in-law Jerry Phillips; her grandparents Eugene R. and G. Ruth (Grubb) Baker and Charles S. and Katherine T. (Ramold) Deermer; three uncles Richard Deermer, Lee Baker and Robert Cook; one aunt Joann Deermer; one great-great-aunt Gladys Baker Oxford; and one cousin Wayne Cook.     

Orginally published in The Frontier and Holt County Independent on March 28, 2018.