Obituary for Anna Frances Baker

Anna Frances Baker, 90, of 133 Echo Lane N.W., Cedar Rapids, IA, 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 to the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation. Memorials in her honor may be mailed to CRPL Foundation, 2600 Edgewood Rd. S.W., Ste. 330, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52404, Attn.: Katie Geiken. Frances was born Oct. 28, 1921, in Washington, IA to Drs. 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. She graduated cum laude from Parsons College, Fairfield, IA in 1967 where she resided 15 years before moving to Cedar Rapids. Frances received her private pilot''s license through the Civil Air Patrol, Washington, served in leadership positions in Rainbow Girls, Eastern Star, P.E.O., The Fairfield Women''s Club, The Cedar Rapids Women''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, IN, and daughter Lois Jean Baker of Iowa City; four grandsons, Arthur II (Christina) Vanderhoff, Daniel Medrano, Benjamin Vanderhoff, 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.