- Date Of Birth: September 1, 1942
- Date Of Death: March 24, 2014
- State: Illinois
Elaine Baker, 71, of Ottawa, died on Monday, March 24, 2014 at her home.
Elaine was born on September 1, 1942, in Winamac, IN to Richard D. and Mary (Vernon) Leslie. She married Charles H. Baker on November 1, 1997. He died on February 25, 2014. She worked at the Community Hospital and Ottawa Medical Center for over 20 years. She also owned and operated Elaine’s Stauffer Figure Salon for a number of years.
Elaine was active in her community. She was a past member of the Mental Health Center Board of LaSalle County, and the Youth Service Bureau where she was the first Board Chairperson. She was active with the United Way of Eastern LaSalle County where she served as the Campaign Chair, President of the Board, and founder of the School Tools program. She was a member of Zonta, and chaired the Horizon House Human Rights Committee for many years.
She is survived by 4 children, Steffanie Van Laarhoven, of Peru, Michael (Stacy) Van Laarhoven, of San Diego, Toni (Michael Keeney) Van Laarhoven, of Aurora and Traci (John Myers) Van Laarhoven-Myers, of Aurora, 7 grandchildren, Jacob, Joshua, Jeremiah and Jordan Myers, Jenna and Mikaela Keeney and Buck Van Laarhoven, 3 sisters Sharon Y. Leslie, of Lihua, HI, Jean (Ron) Herd, of Kewanna, IN, and Kathy Leslie Finks, of IN, brother Mike (Mary Jane) Leslie, of Riverside, CA, 2 step daughters, Julie (Barry) Ramsey, of Champaign and Jamie (Russell) Bennett, of Ottawa and 3 step-grandchildren, Jacob and Clare Ramsey and Nicholas Bennett. She was preceded in death her husband, Charles, 2 brothers, Wayne and Robert.
