Gene Eldridge Baker, 83, of Sutherland, died peacefully at home on July 15, 2026. Gene was born on March 6, 1943, to Eldridge and Corrine Baker in Imperial, Nebraska. He grew up on the family ranch east of Imperial. He attended elementary and middle school in Imperial and later attended high school at the Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska, where he graduated in 1962. He then pursued his post-high school education at Fairbury Junior College, where he played college football and received a degree in Industrial Arts.
Gene and his wife, Margaret Rose (Morgan), were married on December 28, 1973, in Imperial, Nebraska. The couple subsequently moved to a farm outside of Sutherland, Nebraska, where they raised two children: Larry Lee and Mindy Rose. They eventually entered the ranching business and purchased the Longhorn Bar, which they owned for approximately 25 years. They eventually retired in Sutherland.
In addition to being a rancher and businessman, Gene was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He and his wife enjoyed spending time on the family ranch, socializing and observing the abundance of wildlife. Gene's "claim to fame" came in August 1993 when he caught the world-record fish (a striped bass) in the 8–10-pound test line class at Sutherland Reservoir. This was the fourth-largest striped bass caught in the world at the time. The fish weighed one-eighth of an ounce shy of 65 pounds and is currently listed in the Bass Hall of Fame in Hayward, Wisconsin.
Gene is survived by his children, Mindy (Travis) Kerner of Sutherland, Nebraska, and Larry (Heather) Baker of Hastings, Nebraska; grandchildren, Cole, Cooper, Rylee, and Piper Kerner of Sutherland, Nebraska; Alec (Emalie) Baker of Hastings, Nebraska; Morgan (Ryan) Korthals of Omaha, Nebraska; Brooke Baker of Hastings, Nebraska; and great-grandchild Berkley Baker of Hastings, Nebraska. Surviving siblings include sisters Arlene Bischoff, Joyce Christensen, and Shirley Armbruster. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Marjorie Morgan, along with his cousin and friend, Larry Gibson. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Margaret, and his sister, Doris Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for donation to the Nebraska High School Rodeo Association. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.
Services will take place at Odean Colonial Chapel on July 27 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens, where he will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Margaret.