Edith C. Baker

Edith C. Baker, 88 of Paynesville, passed away peacefully November 5, 2024 at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta following complications from a fall.  A graveside service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 9, 2024 at Salem Cemetery near Paynesville.  Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville. In lieu of flowers the family requests that any memorial gifts be given in support of Craig and Abby Schultz,  Africa Inland Mission.  Abby is Edith’s granddaughter.  Contributions can be made at: https://usgiving.aimint.org/missionary/1053470

Edith Carlton Zeigler was born on February 21, 1936, in Houston, TX.  Edith spent her life in service of others.  After graduating from Houston’s Reagan High School in 1954, Edith attended St. Paul Bible Institute in MN where she met the love of her life David Baker.  She graduated in 1956 with a two-year Bible Degree.  Edith and Dave were married October 4,1958, and settled in Houston, TX where Edith worked as a secretary to put Dave through school.  They welcomed their first child, Brian Mark in1962. Cara Isabella was born in 1969 followed by Daniel Barrett in1970. During the late ‘60’s and through the ‘70’s Edith taught five-day Good News Clubs through Child Evangelism for neighborhood kids in her home impacting them for eternity. Edith was a stay-at-home mom until her kids were in upper elementary.  She worked retail at Lord and Taylor Department Store through the ‘80’s until the store closed, followed by two years at Mailboxes Etc. and then served as Houston First Alliance Church secretary until retirement in 1997.  Throughout that time, she provided at home care for her invalid sister Elizabeth, and you could find her faithfully serving in the church kitchen and nursery.  In 1997, Edith, Dave, and Elizabeth moved to Lincoln, NE to be near their children.  They spent 20 years of retirement in Lincoln attending Old Cheney Alliance Church.  In 2017, Edith and Dave moved to Paynesville, MN allowing Cara and Edith to care for Dave at home as he struggled with health issues.

Edith put her trust in Jesus as her Lord and Savior at an early age. Her strong faith was evident in every aspect of her life. Three traits that characterized Edith were her joyfulness, generosity, and faithfulness in prayer.  She loved to play Rook, Dominos, Rummikub, and Skip-Bo with her family.  She could regularly be found humming hymns while filling out puzzle books and word finds. Edith generously gave to her churches, missions, and many ministries.  She enjoyed listening to radio pastors and watching Christian television programs.  Edith was a prayer warrior.  Even in her last days she was spending hours lifting up others in prayer.

Edith is survived by one brother: Louis (Ann) of St. Louis; her three children: Brian (Jill) Baker of Lincoln, NE; Cara (Michael) Elmhorst of Paynesville, MN; and Daniel (LeAnn) of Washington, IL; seven grandchildren: Abigail (Craig), Michael III, Benjamin, Mackenzie (Sam), Caleb, Kayla, and Josiah; and three great grandchildren: Joshua, Marie, and Evalyn.

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