Katherine cared for their two daughters, Gladys and Frances, kept a garden of flowers, and maintained the artistically and musically enriched living environment of the Baker household.
[1] Gladys referred to her sheltered, yet intellectually stimulating childhood with the constant presence of "music, books, and interesting conversations with the family and visitors, all combining to make it a perfect environment in which to grow".
[1] In 1926, Baker graduated with honors from Iowa City High School, and subsequently toured around Europe with her older sister, Frances.
[1] Shortly after in 1933, Baker went on to earn a doctorate in mycology at Washington University in St. Louis under the direction and guidance of Carroll W. Dodge (Green et al., 2009).
Throughout her time at Vassar College beginning in 1940, Baker served as chair of the Plant Science Department for thirteen years, directing three graduate students as well.
Her students have described Baker as "an effective and enthusiastic teacher," a mycologist and scientist with the "highest integrity," and a "warm and caring friend" ("Martin-Baker Award", 2013).
Fellow scientists and peer mycologists continue to admire the relics of her memorable work, including the twenty-one illustrated plates for MacBride and Martin, The Myxomycetes (1934), the nuclear behavior and monographic studies of the genus Penicillium and Helicogloea (Baker 1944), The Antarctic Lichens (1938) with C.W.
"[1] Baker retired in Sun City, Arizona after her time at the University of Hawaii, at Manoa in 1973, surrounded by a culture-enriched environment.
Music, distinguished novels, southwestern Indian culture, Chinese art treasures, and gardens filled her home in combination with her early childhood influences and present pursuits.