Dianne Lynn McFarland Baker

Dianne Lynn McFarland Baker passed peacefully from this life on June 30, 2026, after a courageous battle with breast cancer, surrounded by the love of her family and sustained by her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.

Dianne was born on October 8, 1949, in Missoula, Montana, to Don and Arlene McFarland. She was the fourth of six children and the oldest of two daughters. She grew up on Beavertail Hill in western Montana, where a love for the outdoors, family, hard work, hunting, fishing, and the beauty of God’s creations shaped her childhood.

At eighteen years old, Dianne met the love of her life, Arthur Harry Baker. They were married on December 29, 1967, beginning a devoted partnership that would span nearly sixty years. Together they built homes, raised a large family, and created a legacy rooted in faith, service, and love.

In October 1970, missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints introduced Art and Dianne to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. They were baptized on October 10, 1970, and one year later, on November 10, 1971, they were sealed together with their children in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity. That sacred covenant became the guiding influence of Dianne’s life.

Dianne and Art were blessed with eleven children and built their family in Montana before eventually settling in the Bitterroot Valley, later spending several years in Whitefish, Montana, and finally returning to western Montana before building their dream home in the mountains of northern Idaho.

She was a devoted wife, loving mother, and faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. Her home was filled with homemade whole wheat bread, whole wheat pancakes, gardens, family scripture study, prayer, hard work, laughter, and love. She taught her children that “a job worth doing is a job worth doing well,” a principle she exemplified throughout her life.

She faithfully served in many church callings and later served a full-time mission with her husband in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In her later years, she found joy in attending the temple, visiting prisoners, gardening, quilting, preserving family history, creating photo albums, writing family histories, completing puzzles, and faithfully remembering each grandchild with handmade quilts and birthday cards.

In February 2025, Dianne was diagnosed with breast cancer. She courageously underwent radiation and chemotherapy before choosing to spend her remaining time close to her family in Utah. Her faith never wavered, and she looked forward with peace to her reunion with her Savior and loved ones who had gone before her.

Dianne is survived by her devoted husband, Arthur Harry Baker; her children: Shane (Daniela), Arlene (Cody), Michelle, Matthew (Staci), Sarah (David), Esther (Stuart), Rachel (Ben), Joshua (Stephanie), Hazel (Hernan), Caleb (Kim), and Anna (Matt); her 78 beloved grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; her siblings Gene, Gary, Jack, Donna, and Clay; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Arlene McFarland.

Dianne’s greatest legacy is not found in the homes she helped build, the gardens she planted, the quilts she stitched, or even the large family she lovingly raised. Her greatest legacy is the enduring testimony of Jesus Christ she passed to her children and grandchildren through her daily example of faith, prayer, scripture study, service, and covenant keeping.

She lived as she believed—quietly, faithfully, and wholeheartedly. Her family rejoices in the promise that because of Jesus Christ and eternal families, this parting is only temporary.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page. 

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