Sandy resident Elizabeth “Betty” Edwards Baker, 81, died Monday December 19, at her home.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday January 14th, at Sandy Baptist Church, 34435 SE Jarl Road, Sandy.
Betty was born May 4, 1930 in Merced, CA, to Richard Denicke and Rubye Elizabeth (Edwards) Leuschner. She was raised in Merced and Berkeley CA where she received her schooling. In February 1952 she married Jim Baker and they moved to Tahoe City, CA. Later when they divorced, Betty went to work and raised their five children on her own. Betty worked for many years as a nurse’s aide in Tahoe Forest Hospital, and later did private duty nursing in Hanford, CA. She always took a special interest in medicine and health, and was a strong advocate of proper nutrition.
Betty had a big colorful personality; she was warm and friendly, with a quick smile and the gift of gab. She loved to tell jokes and funny stories, and her big voice always ensured she was the center of attention. She never met a stranger, and made many lifelong friends wherever she lived. In her younger days, Betty loved to snow ski, ride horses, camp, and spend time with her kids. She was so proud of her children and grandchildren, and she loved them all very much. In her later years, she enjoyed reading, watching TV, and taking care of her little dog, Funny Face.
In 1996 Betty moved to Oregon to be near her youngest daughter, and became a resident of Avamere in Sandy in 2009. She was a member of the Sandy Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her daughter Pamela Wiggins, and her grandson, Matthew Wiggins. Survivors include her brother Richard Leuschner, Jr. of California; her sons Rich Baker of Nevada and Dan Baker of California; her daughters Yvonne Baker of California and Christine Walters of Sandy, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.