Walter J. Baker, age 81, died Thursday, March 24, 2005, at Brooview Manor in Brookings, South Dakota. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Monday, March 28, 2005, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings, with interment at Fairlawn Cemetery at Aurora, South Dakota. Visitations will precede services at the funeral home on Monday. Memorials may be sent to the Brookview Manor activity fund. Walter John Baker was born on July 6, 1923 to Christ and Christie (Walsh) Baker in Reeder, North Dakota. He grew up in the Redfield, South Dakota, area with his parents and siblings. He moved to Brookings in 1973 and worked as a dishwasher at the Holiday Inn for approximately 14 years. He enjoyed trips to the Black Hills, fishing, biking, and watching softball games at the Southside ballpark in Brookings. Walter is survived by one known relative, a sister, Letha Baker, of Viborg, South Dakota.