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Linn County News

Published Aug. 21, 2024

 

Walda Ann Baker, formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed peacefully on Aug. 3, 2024. She was born Jan. 14, 1943, to Walter and Edna (Moulton) Hilliard. She was raised in the Manhattan area. Walda furthered her education at Kansas State University and Emporia State University. She then completed her education with her Master’s degree from Pittsburg State University when her sons were young. She began her career as an educator at La Cygne Rural High School in the 1965-66 school year and continued there until transitioning to the Prairie View school district in 1970 when the school opened. She primarily taught Spanish, along with English and Speech. She taught at the Junior and Senior High levels, and taught night classes through Fort Scott Community College. She sponsored the Spanish Club and was the Dance/Drill Team coach for many years after founding it in 1972. Walda taught in the Prairie View school district for 33 years; retiring July 1, 1998. 

Walda began dating Dennis (“Denny”) Robert Baker shortly after she began her teaching career in La Cygne. They surprised their families by “running to the border” to get married in Miami, Okla., on July 11, 1966. She gave birth to a daughter on Jan. 1, 1965. Tiffany was lovingly raised by the Pierpoint Family in Wichita. Dennis and Walda had two sons, Brian Robert, born April 17, 1969, and Bruce Michael, born Dec. 9, 1970. Walda was active in 4-H growing up, and continued that with her sons in their youth. She was a member of the La Cygne United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school and played the piano during service. She was an avid cat enthusiast and, to her husband’s chagrin, often cared for a multitude of neighborhood strays in addition to raising show cats for many years. 

She loved reading, sewing, singing, exercising, and playing along with Jeopardy (not giving anyone else in the house time to answer first). Walda and Dennis met her biological daughter, Tiffany, and her family the summer of 1997. A wonderful friendship between families was formed and continued through the years.

Dennis and Walda moved to Paola in 1999 where they became members of the Paola United Methodist Church where both were active in the choir. They returned to Linn Valley to be closer to family around 2003. After Denny’s passing, Walda returned to Paola for several years where she enjoyed spending time with her neighbors, planting flowers, feeding birds and squirrels, caring for her cats, and maintaining an active lifestyle. 

She returned to Linn Valley in 2019 but was unable to remain in her home due to unexpected illness, and ultimately moved to Olathe to better meet her healthcare needs. She transferred to Louisburg Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center shortly before her passing to have her family closer. While living at Homestead of Olathe Memory Care, she was a very active resident who stole the hearts of her caregivers. She especially loved when music was played and she sang and danced along. She especially loved dancing to Michael Jackson songs and even got the hang of hip-hop dance moves when dancing with her aides. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dennis; and son, Brian. She is survived by son Bruce, (Rochelle) of Linn Valley; biological daughter, Tiffany (Patrick) Dunlay of Mason City, Iowa; four grandsons: Brian II (Taylor), Brandon (Laura), Brett (Brittany), and Michael (Sydnie); three granddaughters: Courtney (Zach), Alexandra (Derik), and Lauren (Ryan); and fifteen great-grandchildren: Brian III, Bradley, Eric, Soren, Solara, Landon, Lincoln, Kara, Liam, Lucas, Addison, Harper, Mason, Talitha, and Selah, with number sixteen on the way.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, at the Schneider Funeral Home in La Cygne. Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Paola United Methodist Church with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery in La Cygne.

As Walda always dreamed of opening a sanctuary for cats, family suggests contributions be made to local cat rescue, Four Kids for Kritters at https://www.fourkidsforkritters.com/donate, or the Paola UMC music fund if preferred, and checks may be sent in care of Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 304, La Cygne, KS 66040. Friends and family may leave online condolences at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

OBITUARIES

Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025

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Linn County News Published June 4, 2025   Gary Ray Johnson, age 90 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on May 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Kan. Visitation... [More]

Rees Lyle Shattuck ~ 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025

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Linn County News Published May 28, 2025   Rees Lyle Shattuck, age 93, Prescott, Kan., passed away Monday, May 26, 2025. He was born on Aug. 31, 1931, in Boicourt, Kan., the son of Rees Wilbur and Lulu Elizabeth Black Shattuck. He served his country in the United... [More]

Wayne Eldon Long ~ 07-03-1942 to 05-24-2025

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Linn County News Published May 28, 2025   Wayne Eldon Long, age 82, of Parker, Kan., passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Wayne was born on July 3, 1942, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Homer Leon and Margaret Ethel (Collins) Long. He was one of three children and... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease

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Linn County commissioners plan to vote at their weekly 9 a.m. meeting next Monday, June 2, on a 99-year lease agreement with Parker and their Senior Center building. At Tuesday's weekly Commission meeting, delayed by a day because of Monday's federal Memorial Day observance,... [More]

Despite Chamber loss, Blast in the Park fireworks will go off

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Council actions include split vote on deed conveyance   Hearing of the disbandment of its local Chamber of Commerce, La Cygne leaders have verbally concurred that the city’s part in the annual Blast in the Park festivities will go on. Following that Chamber notification... [More]

Linn Valley discusses city hall funding sources

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The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present.    Donelson informed the council of two potential opportunities for funding a new City Hall building. ... [More]

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SPORTS

Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State

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The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to West Franklin on May 22 to compete in the 3A Regional. As a team the girls placed 10th with a score of 22.5 points while the boys were fifth with 56 points. This year the top three places in each event qualify for the State meet then... [More]

School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka

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The Pleasanton track team traveled to Eureka on May 22 for a 2A Regional track meet. This year the top three places advance to the State meet along the top four times/distances not from the top three from all other Regionals. This year the Jays qualified eight athletes in seven... [More]

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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

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