Baker, Anna Frances

Anna Frances Baker, 90, of 133 Echo Lane NW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Wednesday, May 2, 2012, in her home of 45 years. Friends may call on family in her home on Sunday, May 6, from 1 to 5 p.m. Because of her great love for books, a memorial fund has been established to the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation. Memorials in her honor may be mailed to CRPL Foundation, 2600 Edgewood Rd. SW, Suite 330, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 Attn.: Katie Geiken.

Frances was born Oct. 28, 1921, in Washington, Iowa, to Doctors Marvin H. and Hattie (Fenton) Sartor. She was married to Robert Wendell Baker on Feb. 14, 1942, for 40 years. She graduated from Washington High School in 1939 and Washington Junior College in 1941. As a young woman she taught in a one-room country school house. In 1967, she graduated cum laude from Parsons College, Fairfield, Iowa, where she resided 15 years before moving to Cedar Rapids.

Frances received her private pilot license through the Civil Air Patrol, Washington, served in leadership positions in Rainbow Girls, Eastern Star, PEO, the Fairfield Women's Club, the Cedar Rapids Woman's Club, and St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids.

She worked as a bookkeeper for Sitler's Auto Parts in Fairfield. She taught at St. Pius X School for two years and was a substitute teacher for over 20 years in the Cedar Rapids Public Schools.

Frances was an avid bridge player, a voracious reader; she enjoyed square dancing, her role as a homemaker, and participating in family and church activities. She was a loving mother to her children, grandchildren and extended family. She was well-loved by her friends and neighbors.

Surviving are her son, Thomas Wendell Baker of Chicago; daughter, Julia Ann (Arthur) Vanderhoff of Greenwood, Ind.; daughter, Lois Jean Baker of Iowa City; four grandsons, Arthur II (Christina) Vanderhoff, Daniel Medrano, Benjamin Vanderhoff and Luke Vanderhoff; a granddaughter, Emily Vanderhoff; plus one great-granddaughter, Ruthanne Vanderhoff; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; five siblings, Bill Sartor, Helen Hawley, Ruth Davis, Lois Kirchner and Caroleen Taylor; and her former husband, Wendell Baker.

Special thanks to Iowa Hospice and the Cedar Rapids Public Library.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.iowacremation.com under obituaries.

Published May 4, 2012 in The Gazette