Catherine Elaine Baker Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Catherine Elaine Baker (Nelson) Elaine, as she preferred to be addressed, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on January 1, 2020 at Inova Loudoun Hospital, VA. Elaine was born on April 7, 1930 to Estella Ann Estep and Charles Mansur Nelson in Bethany, Missouri. Both her parents and her sisters, Oletha Yates Blevins and Mary Margaret Bartlett preceded her in death. For her first eight years, Elaine was raised on the Nelson Farm in Bethany, MO. When her father passed, her oldest sister, Oletha, 18 years her senior and her husband, William, took her into their home and raised her. Elaine moved to West Virginia for a few years with Oletha and William who encouraged her academic achievements. She returned to live with her mother in Bethany, MO at the age of 15, where she met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Jack E. Baker. She graduated from Bethany High School and went on to college, graduating with honors with a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics from Iowa State University in 1951. Shortly thereafter, she married her faithful husband, Jack (he survives of the home). They raised three loving children, daughters Grenda K. Tienvieri (Mark) New Orleans, LA, Tanya D. Beech (Len) Ashburn, VA and a son, Brad E. Baker (Janice) Lawrence, KS. Elaine and Jack were blessed with five wonderful grandchildren, Valerie Rowland (Tim) New Orleans, LA, Dale Beech (Nicole) Ashburn, VA, Jennifer Baker, Lawrence, KS, Dayna Beech, Ashburn, VA and Meredith Baker, Lawrence, KS. She also dearly loved her two great grandsons, Austin & Nash Beech, Ashburn, VA. Elaine was athletic in her high school years playing volleyball, tennis and she enjoyed being a drum majorette. After graduating college, Elaine enjoyed working in a medical laboratory and substitute teaching, but her greatest joy was being a dedicated homemaker and mother. Elaine and Jack were a very devoted and loving couple celebrating 68 years of marriage. They were blessed to have traveled the world having lived in over 33 places, eventually settling in Ashburn, VA. Elaine felt honored and privileged to have a life as a career US Army officer's wife, culminating with a three-year military tour in Rome, Italy where she learned to speak Italian while enjoying the food, culture and lifestyle. While raising their family, Elaine and Jack enjoyed horses, RV camping, boating and fishing. Elaine loved to volunteer at church and in her community. She enjoyed reading, playing bridge, cooking, sewing, line dancing, social groups and was always eager to entertain family, friends and loved planning large social events. Elaine had a strong Christian faith and knew her life everlasting would be with the Lord and the family that went before her and those to follow after. Inurnment services for Catherine Elaine Baker, 89, will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Floris United Methodist Church, Herndon, VA or the Douglas County Special Olympics of Lawrence, KS.

Catherine Elaine Baker

April 7, 1930 - January 1, 2020