Vicki Lee Baker
Vicki Lee Tippet-Baker
March 30th, 1958 – March 21st, 2026
*Author’s Note: The following excerpts in our “Life Stories” are from the Celebration of Life service for Vicki Baker for you to read, reflect, and pay your respects privately. The line was out the door as loved ones gathered to share their condolences with Vicki’s family. Precious memories were shared with both laughter and tears during a very special celebration of Vicki’s beautiful life. It was an honor to learn more about Vicki and to be entrusted to serve her family. She will be dearly missed by many.
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Vicki was born on March 30th, 1958, one of three siblings. She attended Waukegan area schools and worked in the family business, Tippet, Inc., as a bookkeeper. When her dad remarried, she gained five more siblings.
In 1980, on the dance floor of a disco, she met Tab who became the love of her life. June 11th, 1983, they united in marriage and embarked on their greatest adventure that spanned over forty years of a loving partnership and parenthood. Vicki and Tab welcomed 3 children, Ted, Terin, and Kelly, into the world and lived a life centered on family. Vicki was instrumental in creating a loving atmosphere for her family and embracing the simple joys of life. She spent several years as a Sunday School teacher and relished the joy of being Mom.
After raising her children, Vicki returned to the workforce and found her niche as a clerk at Walmart. After 23 years of service at Walmart, Vicki retired, loved ones threw her a party and gave her gifts, and by the next week she was back at work. Maybe it was a ploy to get her own party, but after giving retirement a quick chance, she ultimately did really miss her job and the people.
Her greatest happiness came from her family, though. She loved spending time in the quiet Northwoods of Three Lake, Wisconsin. Whether relaxing by the water or riding on the pontoon surrounded by loved ones, those moments brought her peace and joy. She had a fun-loving spirit and was known for her appreciation of margaritas and tacos and her fascination with sharks. While not seen in Northern Wisconsin, she safely observed sharks from TV. She may or may not have taken vacation days to thoroughly observe Shark Week.
Vicki cherished every moment with her husband. From days around the house to cruises and road trips on a Harley where she embraced the thrill of being a passenger princess, her time with Tab was priceless.
Vicki loved to shop. She surprisingly loved slasher movies and burnt hot dogs, which only added to her charm. She always had a big smile on her face. She’d without a doubt make you laugh; and, with her around, you always knew you were loved.
While Vicki lived a simple life, her impact on the world was profound. Because Vicki raised 3 amazing children, 3 other people (Melissa, Jake and Matt) found the loves of their lives and gained Vicki as a mother-in-law. Vicki adored Melissa, Jake, and Matt as if they were her own kids. And these 3 new families were blessed to welcome 6 more children into this amazing family. Vicki adored becoming Grandma. She embraced the role and loved her grandchildren fiercely and unconditionally.
Daughter-in-law Melissa said, “I often bragged to my friends that I had the ideal mother-in-law. She was supportive but never invasive, she was present but not overbearing. She never judged, always loved. And most importantly, she was simply the perfect grandmother to my boys. The quirks that may have annoyed her own children from time to time were adored by her grandkids- the silly little toys, the holiday outfits, the overloaded Easter baskets. She had endless goofy voices and always had a set of festive manicured nails to surprise them with. And even at 67 she was on the playgrounds with them going down the slide! At her core, Vicki was sweet, fun-loving and always invited friendly banter (even if she was the butt of the joke!). Vicki loved to be cozy and made sure everyone around her was comfortable too- always having extra pillows and blankets. And while her kids teased her for her “abundance of things”, it always came through for them when they forgot a towel, ran out of water bottles or needed extra wipes for our messy kiddos.”
Vicki spent her last days blissfully enjoying life with her grandkids and husband. Her daughter, Terin, did her hair. And life was good. Life was very good. And that’s the part to remember. That’s the stuff to put in perspective. We never know when that last moment will be, so we need to be present in our own lives. Make your moments count and acknowledge your blessings as they happen- as Vicki did.
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Time for me to go now, I won’t say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky.
In the morning sunrise when all the world is new,
Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.
Time for me to leave you, I won’t say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky.
In the evening sunset, when all the world is through,
Just look for me and love me, and I’ll be close to you.
It won’t be forever, the day will come and then
My loving arms will hold you, when we meet again.
Time for us to part now, we won’t say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky.
Every waking moment, and all your whole life through
Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.
Just wish me to be near you,
And I’ll be there with you.
–Look For Me In Rainbows (Song) Lyrics by Vicki Brown
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While the broken pieces of your heart will never quite be the same, know that Vicki truly would not want your heart to be troubled. She would want you to embrace your life, live each day, and find joy and peace. My most heartfelt wish for you is that your broken pieces may heal and be stronger and more beautiful because you knew and loved Vicki.
As we reflect on Vicki’s 67 years, it may feel like it all went by far too quickly. While no length of time with our loved ones will ever seem long enough, know that it was an absolute blessing to have had Vicki present on this earth for over 6 decades. Her time here was a precious gift. When your world is feeling a little too empty, may you fill it with gratitude that your time here overlapped with Vicki’s and that you were blessed to know her. May you find comfort in sweet memories, may you find peace in the ways you find her to still be a part of your present, and may you find hope in being reunited with her someday in the kingdom of God.
May you know in your heart that Vicki’s journey is complete, she is home now in the loving embrace of our Lord in heaven. She is reunited with the many loved ones she had been missing including her father, Merritt, and her in-laws, Ed and Erlene. She is surrounded by love.
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Vicki will be forever loved and missed by her husband, Tab, her son, Ted, her daughters, Terin and Kelly, her sons-in-law, Jake and Matt, her daughter-in-law, Melissa, her 6 grandchildren, her siblings, and many other dear family members and friends.
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Mother Theresa said, “I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”
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Vicki, may you rest in eternal peace knowing you are dearly loved.
My sincere condolences and love, Holly