Shawna Kay Baas, 62, went peacefully to be with Jesus on April 14, 2026, after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, on October 31, 1963, and grew up near Ypsilanti, Michigan.

At a young age, Shawna trusted Christ as her Savior. She enjoyed playing oboe and clarinet in marching band, competed on her school’s swim team, traveled to Australia with Musical Youth International, and graduated as valedictorian of her class. During her senior year, her family moved to McBain, Michigan, where she met Duane Baas, the love of her life. They were married on July 28, 1984. Shawna’s greatest joy was creating a home filled with love and grace for her husband and four daughters. She devoted her life to homeschooling her children and teaching them that the most important thing in life is to love Jesus. She was beloved by her family and church family and touched many lives with her gracious spirit and gift of patient listening. Playing handbells for her church and local handbell choir always brought a smile to Shawna’s face. She loved to laugh and spend time with her family and enjoyed traveling whenever she could. Tulips were some of her favorite flowers, and she treasured the promise that just like a tulip, she would be “sown in weakness” and “raised in power” (1 Corinthians 15:43).

Shawna was preceded in death by her father, William Waltz; her brother-in-law Douglas Baas; and an unborn child. She also looked forward to being reunited with her maternal grandmother, Christina Lamkin. She leaves her husband, Duane; her daughters, Katelyn, Jayna, Bethany, and Maralee Baas; her mother and stepfather, Faye and Bill Donnelly; and her sisters, Heidi (Don) Zuiderveen and Carrie (Joe) Rozeveld.

Shawna will continue to be cherished by everyone who knew her, both young and old, and awaits her reunion with all those who share her faith in Christ. “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all” (Proverbs 31:28–29). 

Visitation will be held 5–7 p.m. on Friday, April 17, at Burkholder-Nielsen Funeral Home, 211 Pine St, McBain, MI. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, at Bible Believers Historic Baptist Church, 220 E Edward St, Mesick, MI (located just past Family Dollar) with visitation one hour prior. Gifts may be made to Samaritan Ministries Christian Healthcare Sharing at https://samaritanministries.org/donate. The Baas family is being served by the Burkholder-Nielsen Funeral Home in McBain, the obituary can be viewed online at burkholderfunerals.com