Lorella Merle Baker

Lorella Merle Baker (Granny), 93, of Fredonia, Kansas, passed away Tuesday morning, March 5, 2019 at Morningstar Care Home in Fredonia.
Merle Baker was born June 30, 1925 at Renfrow, Oklahoma, the daughter of Francis Urven Lewis and Ivah Pearle (Cooperrider) Lewis. She was born along the Chisholm Trail and enjoyed telling anyone where she came from. Most of her childhood was spent in the Milan and Benedict, Kansas areas. She left school her Junior year; but was very proud of earning her GED in 1979.
On December 8, 1944 in Fredonia, Kansas, she was united in marriage to Charles William Baker. They were blessed with two daughters, Martha Ann and Phyllis Irene. Merle called them her “guns”. Marty was her 4’10” shotgun and Phylly was the .22 inch waist. Her greatest love in life was her grandchildren and their children.
She was a farmer’s wife that worked in the field, fed cattle, and milked cows with her husband up to the moment she gave birth to her daughters. Later in life, she worked for the family companies: Benedict Machine Works and Starbuck Industries. She retired from Hi-Lo Manufacturing of Chanute, Kansas in 1990.
Merle’s love for animals knew no bounds; whether it be cats, dogs, horses, cows, or any other creature. As long as it wasn’t a rodent, Granny would love it. She will be laid to rest with her most loved kitty, Hutch. She was a phenomenal seamstress that made her own clothing and her children’s. Granny’s pride and joy was hand quilting baby blankets for her grandchildren. She had an amazing talent for drawing, art, and had the most beautiful teeny tiny handwriting anyone has ever seen.
Survivors include her daughter, Phyllis Starbuck and her husband, Kelley, of Benedict, Kansas, son in law, John Davis Jr. of Marshfield, Missouri, 4 grandchildren, Daphne Frye and Mitch, John Davis and Rachel, Kevin Starbuck and Cherie, Karen Betzen and Ron, 15 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by Charles Baker, her parents, daughter, Martha Ann Davis, grandson, Preston Davis, 3 sisters, Mae Martin, ViEttia Jesseph, Irene Lewis, and brother, Charles Lewis.
The family will receive friends Friday, March 8th, 2019 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Wickham Family Funeral Home, 510 N 7th St, Fredonia, Kansas.
Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, March 5, 2019 at Wickham Family Funeral Home with Pastor Gene Benefiel officiating.
Interment will follow at High Prairie Cemetery on 75 Highway North of Altoona, Kansas.
Memorial remembrances are suggested to Fredonia Pound Pals to recognize Granny’s undying love for animals. Contributions can be left with or mailed to the funeral home, 510 N 7th St Fredonia, Ks 66736.