Cheers to Karen Baker

Karen Baker, general manager of Grouse Mountain Lodge, barely missed being a native of Whitefish. Born in Pennsylvania, her parents moved here when she was four.

She was active in school activities including softball and volleyball, and could often be found on the ski slopes of Big Mountain. Upon graduation from Whitefish High School, she enrolled at the University of Montana in Missoula to pursue a degree in accounting. To provide money for college, she took a part-time job at Grouse Mountain Lodge working in food services (translation: bussing tables, washing dishes, waitressing etc.)

Along the line she had a change of heart, and decided that she preferred the hospitality field to accounting. The transition was simple — upon finishing college she went to work full time at the lodge and has been there ever since.

Over the years, she has performed almost every job there is to do within the building, and following its purchase by the Glacier Park Inc., she became general manager.

Upon her return from college, David Baker’s family had moved adjacent to her parents. They met, and in an abbreviated “girl next door” scenario they married and are the parents of two daughters, Kelsey, a senior at Glacier High School, and Megan, an eighth-grader in Whitefish. David has since retired from the Whitefish Fire Department.

Karen serves on the board of Montana Lodging and Hospitality but spends most of her free time at the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, of which she is chair of the board.

In her words, “If I’m not at work, I’m probably doing something for the Chamber.”

Her history of volunteering includes many hours helping out at school, service in the Parent Teacher Association, coaching kid’s softball and helping in other youth activities. Currently, she is able to participate in many activities under the auspices of the lodge, including Habitat for Humanity, Toys for Tots, the food bank, and Big Brothers and Sisters.

She thoroughly enjoys Whitefish, saying, “What’s not to love about it?” She volunteers because, “This is my home. I grew up here. I was raised by the community, and it’s time for me to give something back.”

Karen, the variety of services you provide contribute immeasurably to the well-being and success of our entire community, and we thank you.

— Jake Heckathorn