Pearl Baker

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 6, 2010, at the United Methodist Church with Elizabeth McVicker officiating. Cremation has taken place at Schrader’s Sunset Park Crematory. Pearl Adele Baker, 84, of Cheyenne died February 24th, at the Davis Hospice Center. She was born December 25, 1925, in Sawyer, Kansas, to Walter and Matilda (Kumberg) Lillieqvist. In her youth she was actively involved in 4-H and showed the Grand Champion Steer at the Kansas State Fair. She graduated from Medicine Lodge High School, Medicine Lodge, Kansas. She received the Senator Capper Scholarship Award, then attended and graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in dietetics in 1948. While a student at K-State she had the honor of serving dinner to General Dwight D. Eisenhower. She married Orville C. Baker on September 12, 1948. They stared their life together in Chadron, Nebraska and eventually lived in Alliance, Nebraska, Carroll, Iowa, Rapid City, South Dakota and finally settled in Cheyenne in 1972. She worked as a teacher’s aide in both Rapid City and Cheyenne. She retired from the State of Wyoming Land Office after 15 years of service. Pearl was an avid golfer, bridge player, and family photographer. She and Orville also loved to travel. Their last expedition was a cruise of the Panama Canal for their 60th wedding anniversary. She was a charter member of Chapter AZ, P.E.O., a member of the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary, the Airport Ladies Golf Association, and the F.E.W. Ladies Golf Association. She volunteered as a Sunday school teacher, Methodist Youth Leader, Girl Scout Leader and volunteer at the Pink Boutique and Lemon Tree. She is survived by her husband, Orville Baker of Cheyenne; daughter, Paula Harris and her husband Phill of Encampment, Wyoming; daughter Carol Merrion and her husband, Rob of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren, Liz Fields and her husband, Nick of Ocala, Florida, Army Sergeant Jeff Harris of Yakima, Washington, Katie Merrion of Denver, Colorado, and Mike Merrion; sisters, Vera Hanneken of Palm Desert, California, and Ada Mitchell of Medicine Lodge, Kansas; and a brother, Lucky Lillieqvist of Pratt, Kansas. Pearl was preceded in death by sister, Laurene Johnson and Corlena Hunt, and parents, Walter and Matilda Lillieqvist. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Davis Hospice Center, 6000 Sycamore or a charity of choice.