Elizabeth J. Baker

Elizabeth J. Baker, 75, a long time Libby resident, died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 at St. John's Lutheran Hospital from natural causes.

She was born Sept. 22, 1932 in Newark, Del. to Clifford and Elizabeth Moore. Betty grew up and attended school in the Newark area. She had an older brother and a much younger sister.

She met Leroy Baker in January 1950 at a roller skating rink. It was a long distance relationship that was meant to be. Leroy asked her to marry him and to come to Montana.

She came to live with his family in July 1952. She stayed at the family farm in Columbia Falls until their wedding. Betty and Leroy were married on Aug. 9, 1952.

The day before, she found out that Leroy's younger brother's birthday would be the same day as their wedding, so she graciously set her day aside and shared a birthday cake with him.

Leroy and Betty made their first home in the Columbia Falls area. Betty, coming from the city, had to learn how to cook on a wood stove.

Betty and Leroy had a great life together. They raised three daughters and had many good times together. Where you saw one, you always saw the other. Betty enjoyed being with and working with the young and the old.

Survivors include her husband Leroy Baker of Libby; three daughters: Nancy Baker of Phoenix, Ariz., Linda Kinney and her husband Michael of Sutherlin, Ore., and Diane Baker of Buckeye, Ariz.; grandchildren: Jeffery M. Kinney, RayLeen Hienbuck and husband Kenny and Nicholas Mansfield; her sister and brother-in-law Sylvia and Ron Hatten; great-grandchildren: Scott, Aieshia and Jonathan; extended family Barry and Doris Brown and their children: Tina, Penny, Robert, Ray, Kayrie and Kim; great-grandchildren: Juliann, Kayla, Tabytha, Lana, Christopher and Jazmin.

Services were at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Libby Christian Church. Local arrangements were made by the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home in Libby.