Cleta Jean Baker, 92, of Hepler, died at 9:25 p.m., Sunday, February 28, 2021 in the Girard Medical Center.
Cleta was born August 30, 1928 in Girard, a daughter of Harold and Adna (Pape) Chambers. She grew up in the Uniontown and Hepler areas and graduated from Uniontown High School. Cleta married Claude D. Baker on July 22, 1946 in Girard. Claude preceded her in death on March 3, 2005.
Cleta worked as a CNA at the Uniontown Rest Home, she and her husband Claude leased and operated Stroud’s Grocery Store in Uniontown, she and her husband Claude owned and operated Baker’s Café in Hepler 8 years, she worked in the claims department at Western Insurance in Fort Scott, and she was a devoted receptionist at SEKAP in Girard for over 20 years where she was loved by all.
Cleta was a member of the United Methodist Church in Hepler and she enjoyed her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-granddaughter. Cleta devoted many hours to crocheting beautiful pieces for family and friends. She also loved to travel with Claude on trucking trips where many crocheted pieces were made, and she enjoyed her time camping with Claude and her family.
Survivors are her sons, William W. Baker, and his wife, Reta, of Frontenac and Charles Baker, and his wife, Janice, of Hepler; her daughters, Marilyn Stroud of Moran, Susan Kroenke of Iola, and Claudia Ausemus, and her husband, Jim, of Hepler; 7 Grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter; her sister, Kathalene Ausemus, and her husband, Fred, of Fort Scott.
Cleta was preceded in death by her sons-in-law, Jim Stroud, and Orville Kroenke; her granddaughters, Traci Stroud Krouse and Jamie R. Ausemus Hallacy; her brother and sister-in-law, Wesley and Betty Chambers.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home with Pastor Rick Prideaux officiating. Burial will be in the Hepler Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard where friends may call after 2:00 p.m., Thursday. Mask are suggested.
Memorials are suggested to the Hepler Fire Department or the Smiles From Jamie Foundation/GMC and these may be left at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W St. John, Box 258, Girard, 66743.
