Patricia E. Baker

Patricia E. Baker, 62, of Topeka, passed away at her home on Thursday, December 17, 2009.

She was born January 24, 1947 in Newton the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth “Betty” (Hogan) Torline.

Pat was currently the Deputy Executive Director/General Counsel for the Kansas Association of School Boards.  She attended Newton High School and graduated in 1965.  She graduated from Benedictine College Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Political Science in 1976; and graduated from Washburn University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate with Dean’s Honors in 1979 at which time she began work at the Kansas Association of School Boards as a staff attorney.  In her spare time she enjoyed reading, working crosswords and traveling.  Pat loved nature and spending time with her grandchildren.

She was a member of the Kansas Bar Association, the Kansas School Attorneys Association; the National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys where she served not only as the first woman Chairperson in 1989-90 but also was the first state staff member elected to that position..

She was married on June 1, 1968 to W. Gary Baker.  They had four children.  Survivors include three sons, Bill Baker and his wife Becky of Olathe, Matt Baker and his wife Jill of Maryville, MO and Jeff Baker of Overland Park, one daughter Anne Geisler and her husband Ryan of Plymouth, MN, one brother John Torline and his wife Diana of Newton, five sisters, Jan Sickbert and her husband Gary of Argenta, IL, Judy Nagy of Topeka, Roberta “Robbie” Nieto and her husband Henry of Golden, CO, Rosemary Thorne of Durham, NC and Theresa “Traci” Henning and her husband Kenny of Hays.  Eight grandchildren, Kimberly, Jared, Paul, Mackenzie, Patrick, Avery, Joseph and Calvin and many nieces and nephews also survive.

Pat will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Mater Dei’s Holy Name Church.  Burial will follow in Rochester Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Torline Family Scholarship Fund at the Central Kansas Community Foundation or to the Topeka Rescue Mission and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

Online condolences to www.brennanmathenafh.com.