August 20, 2024

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.