Elna Irene Baker,77, of rural Wamego, Kansas, died Sunday, July 4, 2010, at her home.  She was a life-long resident of the area.

Elna was born April 26, 1933, in Alma, Kansas, the daughter of Adolph and Ida Nehring Redmond. She was baptized on October 13, 1933.  She attended local schools and graduated in 1950 from Alma High School.  

Elna exchanged vows with Kennyth Baker, Sr. on June 6, 1950.  He survives at their home.

Elna was a homemaker.  She also was a care-giver for many elderly patients in the area.  She also loved to baby sit and care for children..  Elna was one of the first workers at God’s Closet in Louisville.  She loved to visit with family and friends, sew, crochet,   play the piano, and in her early years she played softball.  Elna was known for not allowing you to come visit and then leave hungry. 

Elna is also survived by her five daughters, Bonnie Baker, Topeka, Cheryl Yonning, Wamego, Barbara Molden, and her husband, Richard, St. George, Judith Reinerio and her husband, Rick, Manhattan, and Karie Baker, Topeka; one son, Kevin Baker and his wife, Martie, rural Wamego; daughter-in-law, Yolanda Baker, Wamego; seventeen grandchildren and thirty great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by a son, Kennyth Baker, Jr.; son-in-law, Gary Yonning; sister, Elaine Owensby; granddaughter, Stephanie Molden and grandson, Kalob Baker.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 9, 2010, at Campanella-Evans Mortuary in Wamego.  Reverend Charles McClelland will be officiating.  Burial will follow at Swedish Cemetery, southeast of Alma.  Mrs. Baker will lie-in-state on Thursday starting at 2:00 p.m. and the family will greet friends from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.  They suggest memorial contributions to the Elna Baker Memorial Fund and those may be sent in care of the mortuary.  Online condolences may be made at www.campanellafuneral.com.