Karen Esther Baker, daughter of Harley and Esther Baker, was born June 1, 1954, in Sterling, Ill. She passed away on April 13, 2023, at St. Michael hospital at the age of 68 years, 10 months, 12 days. Karen was hospitalized for hernia surgery and remained hospitalized for 8 weeks due to complications resulting in fluid around her heart and kidney failure.
Karen accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized in her youth and was a member of Mineral Springs A.M. Church where she remained faithful until death.
Karen lived in Tampico, Ill., till 1975, then moved to Nashville, Ark., where she lived with and faithfully cared for her parents. After her parents’ passing, she lived with her sister, Darlene, and a niece, Lorena for 14 years. The last 21 years she had lived in a mobile home on her brother Delbert’s farm. She also spent some time with her sisters, Jean, and Judy, in Berryville, Ark.
She is survived by two brothers, Donald and wife Loretta, from Tampico, Ill.; and Delbert and wife Julie, from Nashville, Ark.; and one sister-in-law Shirley Kropf from Sedalia, Mo. Also, 21 nieces, 19 nephews and a number of single and other friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Jean, Judy, and Darlene and two infant brothers, also one nephew, Marvin.
Karen cleaned church for years and had some house-cleaning jobs. She kept meticulous church records and made record books for people. She sent out many cards and letters for all kinds of occasions.
A big thanks for all the expressions of love and help that was given during Karen’s hospital stay.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at the Nashville Christian Day School.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 17, 2023, at the Mineral Springs A.M. Church. Interment will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery.
You may send an online sympathy message at www.latimerfuneralhome.com.
