Joan May Baker

Joan May (Ficek) Baker, 84, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri passed away peacefully on December 1,2024. Joan was born on May 17, 1940 to William “Bill” and Rose Ficek in Dickinson, North Dakota and raised on the family farm and Versippi, North Dakota community. In November of 1954 the family moved to Trenton, Missouri. She graduated from Trenton High School (Trenton, MO) and was active in the local 4-H club. Joan continued her education at the Kansas City Business College, learning how to operate a comptometer which led to a job at Hallmark Cards. Joan was taking additional classes at Kansas City Junior College where she met Richard Baker, in Algebra class, in 1965. They married on September 14, 1968. Joan and Richard celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 2018.

She was employed at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Missouri and performed many jobs within the office and their neighborhood weatherization program. That program would assist local Kansas City residents with free home maintenance and minor upgrades. Joan helped with laying floor tiles and interior and exterior painting among other things. After retiring from Hallmark in 2000, just shy of 39 years, she took up her true passion, painting. Joan was a juried member of “The Best of Missouri Hands”, a juried member of Summit Art, and a member of the Missouri Artisans Association. She loved travelling the country displaying her art in various art shows. She produced over 150 paintings using both watercolor and oil paints.

She is survived by her loving husband Richard and three sons, Andrew Richard Baker (Felicia) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Kenneth Joseph Baker (Sara) of Warrensburg, Missouri and Christopher Douglas Baker of Centerview, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Chloe Ashton, Emily Baker, Madison (Baker) Bailey, Joseph Baker, Jessica Baker, Elizabeth Baker, Samantha Baker; one great granddaughter Evelyn; one sister Ruth Stepien of Olathe, Kansas, and one brother, Mark Ficek (Luisa) of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. She was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters Rita Purcell and Judy Guyn.

The Rosary will begin at 9:30 am, funeral Mass will be held at 10:00am, on December 10, 2024 at Our Lady of Presentation Catholic Church, 130 NW Murray Rd, Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, Missouri. Visitation is scheduled for Monday, December 9, from 6-8pm at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 East 39th Street South, Independence, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers please donate to St Luke’s Hospice House, 3516 Summit St, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.