Kay Baker

Kay Baker passed away peacefully on July 30, 2022, in the company of her family following complications from several chronic illnesses.
Baker was born Jan. 15, 1942, in Springfield, and was the daughter of the late, Aliene (McCroskey) Elson and Arnold Dillard. Kay Elson attended Central High School in Springfield where she graduated in 1959. While in school, she worked at the Springfield Bakery where she met her future husband, William (Bill) Baker. Kay and Bill were married in Miami, Okla. on Sept. 24, 1961. Kay and Bill raised two sons, Jeffrey (Jeff) of Springfield and Jason of Minneapolis, Minn.
Baker worked for over 30 years for the city of Springfield, most notably as the secretary to several directors of aviation at the Springfield- Branson Regional Airport, from which she retired in 2001. Never one to take things easy, she did not remain retired for long and had worked a full-time job for the past 17 years at Bn’T Loan, L.L.C., a company started by her brother-in-law, Bob Baker.
Baker was very smart, creative and enjoyed the opportunity to share her passion for the culinary arts by baking elaborately decorated birthday and wedding cakes for friends, family, and acquaintances and as a part-time business.
Baker was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her mother, Aliene; her sister, Linda Alva, and her first grandchild. She is survived by sons Jeff (wife, Jill) and Jason; three grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews, and her sister-in-law, Gwen Baker.
The family will be holding a ceremony at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Baker’s name to a worthy charitable foundation.