euskalkultura.eus

12/16/2024 - Reno, Nevada, USA

Dana Gabica Baker passed away unexpectedly on December 16, 2024.

Born in Winnemucca on March 11, 1952 to Daniel Gabica Jr. and Juanita Virginia (Etchegoyhen) Gabica, Dana spent her early years in Denio, Nevada.

Both her parents were first generation Basque Americans.

In the 1960’s they bought the Downtown Motel in Winnemucca. Dana worked as a soda jerk at the drugstore fountain, and later at the telephone company.

She graduated Lowry High School in 1970 and began college at the University of Nevada, Reno.

It was there she ran into a good-looking cowboy from a ranch in Mountain City with beautiful blue eyes. Mickey Baker was a junior in the agribusiness program. They met on the quad during lunch one day, and the rest is history!

Dana and Mickey were married in Winnemucca at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in September 1973. In 1976 they bought their home in Sparks, where they raised two children. Dana worked at Nevada Bell until her first child was born in 1979. She then became a dedicated full-time mom and homemaker, welcoming a second child in 1982.

She began working for Washoe County School District as a clinic aide once her children reached middle school.

She had recently retired, with her last school being Marvin Moss Elementary.

Dana was a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Sparks. She doted on her grandchildren and loved dogs, gardening, travel, music, politics, reading, and the outdoors.

Dana was preceded in death by her parents, Dan and Juanita Gabica of Winnemucca, and by her husband Michael W, “Mick” Baker of Sparks. She is survived by her daughter Darcy Malarchik (Drew), son Ross Baker (Rachel), grandsons Isaiah Collette, Michael Baker, Nathan Malarchik, and Andrew Malarchik, and granddaughter Maggie Rae Baker of Reno; sister Juliana Gabica (Don Smit), niece Caroline Gabica, nephew Gabriel Gabica of Carson City.

A funeral Mass was held in December, followed by interment next to her beloved husband and soul mate Mickey Baker.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions of money or time to one of the following: Nevada Humane Society, William A. Douglass Center for Basque Studies at the University of Nevada Reno, K9s for Warriors or any organization serving people or pets that means something to you.

Mom, thank you for everything you always did for us. We love and miss you so much. Gero arte, Ama. Maite zaitugu. Until we meet again, gavon.

(published on Reno Gazette Journal)