C. Luanne Baker

C. Luanne Baker went home to our Lord on January 17, 2026 during a birthday trip to Florida with her beloved husband, Rick. Her strength, her love for her family and friends, and her dedication as a high school teacher will long be remembered and treasured.

Luanne was born on January 21,1959, in Des Moines, Iowa to parents Charles and Vera (Dahlstrom) Sweeney, and grew up sharing a close bond with her younger brother, Stuart. She graduated from Hoover High School, where she was a gifted student and 4-sport athlete who favored softball and basketball (she was an avid Iowa State fan and loved watching men’s and women’s March Madness basketball). Luanne went on to earn a BA degree at Clarke College and an MA degree in history at the University of Minnesota. After college she settled in Des Moines and married Rick Baker on July 8, 1989. They had two sons, Lucas and Ryan, with whom they shared a happy family life filled with genealogy, basketball, and motorsports.

Luanne was an exceptional educator who inspired her students at Valley High School and Valley Southwoods to know and appreciate our world. She taught classes in western civilization, European history and cultural geography, and was admired by colleagues as a great collaborator and skilled curriculum writer. Luanne loved to visit and immerse herself in the countries she taught about and delighted in sharing her travels with her students (China, Italy, France, Greece, Croatia and many U.S. adventures). A highlight for Luanne was attending the Straticello Institute at Stratford Hall in Stratford, Virginia in 1985 and making lifelong friends in Shar, Marjorie and Cyndi.

One of Luanne’s greatest passions was charting her family’s genealogy through research and trips to cemeteries throughout the eastern United States. For many years she honored her mother’s legacy as a member of the Abigail Adams Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, leadership as Past Regent, Past Vice Regent, Past Corresponding Secretary, Chapter Director, and on the Executive Board.

Luanne is survived by her husband, Rick; sons, Lucas (Alexanderia) and Ryan of Des Moines; her brother, Stuart (Marlena) of Winder, Georgia; and her grandchildren, Charlotte and Maverick. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A Celebration of Luanne’s Life will be held Friday, February 27, 2026 at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines, IA at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior. A luncheon at the church will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the FoodBank of Iowa or to DMARC Food Bank.

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