Frances Elaine (Graber) Baker

Frances Elaine (Graber) Baker passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on July 15, 2025, surrounded by her beloved family and friends.

Elaine was born April 11, 1945, in Kingman, Kansas. She grew up on a farm in nearby Belmont and graduated from Kingman High School, Class of 1963. On April 3, 1970, she married Paul Baker at Kingman Christian Church. They moved to Maple Hill, KS and raised two daughters. After a career in banking and selling Avon, the couple retired back to the Graber family farm. She found so much joy being home again.

Elaine's faith guided every part of her life. She rarely missed Sunday service, often playing piano and singing alto in the choir. She spent every morning with her Bible, devotionals, and a well-worn, double-sided prayer list, every inch covered with the names and needs of others. Elaine embraced her spiritual gifts of hospitality and service, quietly supporting others with grace and humility, so they would feel cared for and comfortable.

Elaine loved puzzles of all kinds - crosswords, Sudoku, jigsaws - as well as reading, quilting, sewing, crafts, and her weekly Zoom calls with family.  She grew up playing softball and loved all sports. She never missed a championship or any event that showcased athletic excellence.

Elaine exuded steadfast love through her actions and presence. Her battle with cancer was sudden and devastating, lasting only eight weeks. But in that short time, the depth of her love became undeniably clear through the near constant stream of visitors and family and church friends who came to visit her home and hospital to love and support her. Her love was fully embodied, profoundly genuine, and will be her legacy.

Elaine was preceded in death and reunited in God with her parents Herbert and Catherine (Cavanaugh) Graber and her sisters Linda (Jim) Smith, and Bonnie Collins. She is survived by her husband Paul, her two daughters Brenda (Charlie) Goolsby and Beverly Baker, her sisters Sue (Ed) Mullins and Ardis (Bill) Brittain, her brother John (Susie) Graber, and a large extended family.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 23, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Livingston Funeral Home, Kingman. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, at Trinity United Christian Church, 416 N. Washington St., Cheney. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Belmont.

To honor her love of reading and community, a memorial has been established with the Kingman Library and may be sent to the Livingston Funeral Home, 1830 N Main St, Kingman KS 67068.