Sue Baker: From Farming to EMS to Stitching Community in the Chelan Valley

Welcome Susan Beatrice Huntington Baker — better known as Sue Baker — to this week’s episode of Small Towns: Unscripted.Sue is a woman full of life, hard-working, gritty, and endlessly devoted to her community. Her family’s roots run deep in Washington, beginning as pioneers in the Walla Walla Valley before her parents moved to Chelan in 1952. Settling on Gibson Street, they quickly fell in love with the lake and valley, building a life centered around farming, family, and service.In our conversation, Sue shares stories of her grandmother’s immigration from Germany in the 1800s, her father’s years farming across the region, and her mother’s remarkable career as a classically trained chef in Seattle who later worked at beloved Chelan landmarks like The Bluebird. She reflects on the old ways, the old places, and the people who shaped Chelan. Those early influences inspired Sue to become a woman of many talents—whether tending orchards, sewing with unmatched skill, or cooking meals reminiscent of her mother’s legendary banquets.Alongside her husband, W.H. “Dub” Baker, Sue built a life rooted in orchards, fishing trips up lake, and cherished days at the family cabin in Lucerne. When Dub’s health declined and he passed away in December 2001, Sue found a new purpose. She trained as an EMT and poured her heart into emergency medical service for more than a decade. Known for her compassion and quick wit, she became a favorite among colleagues and patients alike. Even now, long after retiring from ambulance shifts, she still cooks holiday meals for those on duty.Today, Sue is also known as the valley’s go-to seamstress, a craft and calling that continues to keep her connected to her neighbors. Her story is one of resilience, service, and joy—a life woven tightly into the fabric of Chelan and an inspiration to everyone lucky enough to know her.