Is
it just me or does it affect you the same way? The
Honorary Swede nominations seem to get younger each year.
And so it seems again this year, as the Honorary Swede Committee
is proud to announce its 2006 choice, a fine young man who has
distinguished himself in the community in which he lives, in his
school district, in his church and in his chosen profession.
He
grew to manhood in this community and his accomplishments since
leaving upon graduating from SHS are impressive. He was a
true Viking all the way, the type that makes you proud.
I
don’t want to divulge his name at this time. It’s a
bit too soon, but his initials are Randy Baker.
Randy
is the son of Bob and Corinne Baker. Randy was born in the
Stromsburg Hospital on June 4, 1952. That’s merely 54
years ago. He graduated from Stromsburg High School in
1970 where he was a very busy young man. He was a
three-sport athlete, football, basketball and track. He
was involved in band, class plays -- you name it. He lists
among his favorite teachers such names as Max Quick, Wes
Fredrickson, Larry Lehn and Carolyn Nordberg.
A
highlight of his high school years was being a member of the
basketball team that went to state in 1968.
According
to his wife, JoAnn, also a Stromsburg girl, he continued to play
YMCA basketball until three years ago.
Randy
graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1974 with a
degree in business and also a certificate to teach. He did
teach for four years at Blair High School. He taught
business and marketing. He coached basketball land
refereed and was a sponsor for various organizations. He
then turned his interests to insurance sales and is still
involved in insurance to this day.
In
1976, Randy married his high school sweetheart, JoAnn Anderson,
also a true Swede from Stromsburg, the daughter of Dick and
Donna Anderson. They will celebrate their 30th
anniversary June 27th. In 1978, Randy and JoAnn
moved to Omaha, he involved in his new career and she at
Immanuel Hospital as a nurse. He was with Bankers Life of
Iowa. In 1979, Randy decided he could serve his clients
better it he worked for a multi-line company, so he cast his lot
with American Family Insurance and is with them to this day.
Finding
some new spare time, Randy became involved in sponsoring and
coaching teams which involved client’s children. He is
known for taking time to talk with high school students about
driving safety. He is also known for driving across town
to assist a client with automobile problems and is appreciated
by clients for his help in cleaning up after a fire.
Randy’s
reputation as a Good Samaritan to his clients has spread through
the city and is a big reason why his book of business has spread
greatly during his 27 years with his agency.
Randy
stays active in his local community. He serves on the
Millard Athletic Board and has served on his neighborhood
Homeowners Association. He is a member of Cosmopolitan
International, an organization that raises funds for the fight
against juvenile diabetes. In honor of his father, Bob
Baker, Randy has raised funds for the American Cancer Society
and has walked in many walks to cure cancer.
Throughout
his career, he has served on several boards and chaired several
committees. He is a member of NAIFA, the National
Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He is a
member of American Family’s All-American and AFLIC recognition
clubs for all lines production and life insurance
production. He is a state leader in policies per household
and policy retention. He has served on the Omaha NAIFA
Board of Directors and served as its president in 1998-1999.
In
2005, Randy was named the NAIFA Omaha Agent of the Year.
A
member of the Nebraska Alumni Association, he stays active in
its various projects. He is a generous and contributing
member of Rejoice Lutheran Church. He is known for usually
being the first to fill a mission box for the hungry at
Thanksgiving time and for donating items needed by those
affected by natural disasters. Surprisingly, he is a
staunch supporter of Nebraska football and basketball.
The
Bakers have three daughters. He has a granddaughter named
Madison, who is 5 years old and is grandpa’s best
friend. Kiley is in Dallas, Jodi is living in Omaha and
Lindsey is in Los Angeles. Randy has always been known as
a strong family man. He became involved in his daughters’
activities. While assisting as coach of his daughters’
teams, he would draft players because they happened to be
friends of his daughters, not because of their athletic ability
like other coaches did. And besides their sometimes “Bad
News Bears” look, they did win several league titles.
According
to his wife, JoAnn, who assisted me with most of the pertinent
info, Randy has always been so proud to be a Stromsburg
Swede. He loves his hometown and is extremely proud of
it. Randy’s friends have no doubt where he is from as he
lets them know he is from the Swede Capital of Nebraska.
And
so, Randy, I charge you with this duty: Continue to be a
Stromsburg ambassador, keep letting your friends and clients
know you are from the Swede Capital of Nebraska, and that
Stromsburg is one terrific small city in the great state of
Nebraska!
