Elsie Baker

Elsie Baker, age 97, passed away peacefully at Northcrest Living Center on January 11, 2023.

She was born May 28, 1925, to the late Nels and Kirsten “Katherine” Jensen in a house on a farm between Tennant and Harlan in rural Shelby County, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at the Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa. Her family only spoke Danish in the home. Elsie learned English at school and then taught it to her parents.

A roommate had introduced her to John “Johnny” T. Baker, and they were married on April 21, 1945, and to this union, two daughters were born. Pam was born in 1950, and Kathe was born in 1955. She and Johnny made their home in Overland, Missouri, until August of 1968. While living in the St. Louis area, she was very involved in the Girl Scouts, in fact a proud moment for her was meeting the founder of the Girl Scouts, Lady Baden-Powell.

The family relocated to Council Bluffs, Iowa. Elsie continued her involvement in the Girl Scouts and taught Sunday School. She provided in-home childcare for many years and taught ceramics. Elsie also worked part time in the cafeterias at Longfellow and Glendale Schools. She was a longtime member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

Elsie was very proud of her Danish heritage. She routinely served Aebleskiver and Frikadellar for her family. Elsie also loved to sew and knit. She made look alike outfits for her daughters and their dance costumes.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John T. “Johnny” Baker; sisters, Betty Paulsen and Ellen "Toots" Kjeldgaard; brothers, Elmer Jensen and Carl Jensen; grandson, Jason Weihs.

Elsie is survived by her daughters, Pam (Keith) Card, and Kathe Weihs; brother, Robert Jensen; grandchildren, Tiffaney (Alan) Skaw, Dena (Aaron) White, and Dustin (Grace) Weihs; great grandchildren, Caleb, Delaney, Calvin, Lola, Scarlett, and Ruby; special niece, Julie Maguire; a host of other family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Sunday, January 15, 2023.

Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 PM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Monday, January 16, 2023. Interment will be Garner Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Danish Museum in Elk Horn, Iowa, or the Girls Scouts of America.