Frances Katherine Baker, age 97, Sturgis, died Friday, July 1, 2011, at the Sturgis Regional Hospital.

Visitation will be Monday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a vigil beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Mass of Christian burial will be held Tuesday July 5, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Father Arnold Kari officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Aloysius cemetery.

Frances was born June 10, 1914, in Tipton, Missouri, to Charles and Philomene (Bestgen) Baker. In 1918, the family moved to a ranch north of Sturgis where she grew up.

She graduated from Lead High School and went on to earn a B. S. degree from Black Hills State University, later completing work for a Masters Degree in education from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Her teaching career began in Meade County, SD schools in 1939, continuing there for seven years before taking a position in District U-46 public schools in Elgin, Illinois in 1947. There she remained teaching mainly in junior high level for another 28 years.

In addition to her professional career, she gave service to her church and community. She taught classes in the religious education programs for many years. She was a member of the parish women's organization, serving as president for two terms; she was past regent of Court Elgin, Catholic Daughters of America, and served on the parish council of St. Joseph Church. She was also a member and held office in the Rockford, Illinois Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, which in 1965, honored her with the Catholic Woman of the Year award for significant contributions to church and community.

During these years she was active in the Elgin League of Women Voters, Church Women United and the Elgin Community Theatre.

After retirement, she enjoyed years of travel in Europe, Central America, Mexico, and the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. During this time, in 1981, she returned to Sturgis to make her home.

She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and the Altar Society, the Hillsview Highrise Tenants Association serving as a board member for 18 years, Sturgis City Library board member for several years, and Illinois Retired Teachers Association.

Survivors include sister Clarine Harker, Whitefish, MT; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her twin sister, Florence Haugen; sisters, Virginia Weiers and Marie Frey; and three brothers, Arnold, Leo, and Carl.

A memorial has been established to the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.