Janiece Baker

Janiece (Boling) Baker was born on May 1, 1932, in Duncan’s Creek, Missouri. She and her identical twin sister, Janelle, were the fourth and fifth children born to Philip and Hazel Boling. Her older siblings, Ellen, Philip, and Henry are now deceased. She and her family later relocated to Kansas City, Missouri, where she graduated from Northeast High School in 1948. After graduation she worked for a time at City Hall in Kansas City.

Janiece married Joseph Baker on February 23, 1952. She was a loving stepmother to Joe’s son, Joseph Garrett (Gary), whose mother, Jacqueline (Elliott) Baker, had died when he was an infant. Five more children were born to this union – Barbara, Patrick, David, Teresa, and Paul. During the course of their marriage Joe and Janiece lived in various locations due to Joe’s career in Public Service Management. The majority of their married life was spent in California until they moved to Lawrence, Kansas in December 2004.

Janiece was loved and admired by all who knew her and remained lifelong friends with many of her childhood and high school friends. She enjoyed traveling to visit friends and family in various parts of the country. Janiece took great pride in typing and proofing college papers to ensure various graduations. Some of her favorite activities included her “AquaDucks” swim group in Orange, California and spending time with her niece Maureen Lillard. Janiece was always doing for others. While she loved her parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and pets, the love of her life and greatest joy was her husband, Joe. Their humor, love, and affection for each other throughout their 63 years of marriage were an example to all of what a near perfect union should be.

Janiece passed away after a brief illness on July 10, 2015, in Lawrence, Kansas. She is survived by her husband, Joseph Baker, her five children – Barbara Thompson (Ron), Patrick Baker (Kathy), David Baker (Rose), Teresa Boylan (Tom), Paul Baker, and her twin sister, Janelle Houk (C.R.). She was blessed with nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren at the time of her death. She was predeceased by her stepson, Gary.

A memorial service will be held on July 31, 2015 from 2-4 p.m. at Brandon Woods’ Smith Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a future date to be determined.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to American Cancer Society and may be sent in care of the mortuary.