Norma "Gene" Wade (Baker)

Norma “Gene” Wade, 92, of Independence, MO passed away on June 27, 2022. Gene was born May 18, 1930 to Omar Carl Baker and Edith Irene (Winn) Baker in Tolono, IL. She received loving care by compassionate nurses at Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care, and ignite of Blue Springs while there.

She attended Heelstring Elementary and graduated in 1948 from Birch Tree High School in Shannon County, MO. She married Oscar Henry Wade on September 17, 1950; this union produced six children.

Gene, a housewife and loving mother, did not work outside the home until her youngest child graduated high school. She worked at the Independence TG&Y and then Walmart in 1984. She worked in many departments, but enjoyed the fabric department most. She retired in 2010 due to health reasons.

Things she enjoyed included attending Immanuel Baptist Church in Independence, sewing and helping customers at Walmart with sewing decisions. She made quilts for all her grandchildren and often homemade clothing. When not sewing, she used a mechanical pencil to fill out Sudoku books which she loved to play. She loved traveling with her siblings and took an interest in everything she saw. Highlights included trips taken with her older sister to Mexico and Hawaii. Cruises included to Alaska, the Columbia and Mississippi rivers, and a European river cruise.

Gene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Oscar Wade; 3 brothers, Marian Merle (Buddy) Baker, Wilbur Verne Baker, and Marvin Lyle Baker; a sister, Nola Pauline Baker; and one grandchild, Autumn Fritchie. Just a few days after Gene’s passing, her sister who just turned 100 just a few weeks ago, Lola Vearl Ferdon also passed away. Survivors include two sisters, Hazel Marie Reynolds, and Debbie Baker; a niece/ adopted sister; 6 children, Mary (Duane) Fritchie, Karen (Michael) Mansell, Betty Fox, Sandy (Ed) Theno, Deanna (Gary) Maloney, and Roger (Kimberly) Wade; 10 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren, and 2 great great-grandchildren; and also, several nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2022, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E 39th St, Independence, MO. Funeral to follow at 10:00. The service will be livestreamed via Speaks Chapels page for those who would like to virtually attend her service. Burial thereafter, at Oak Ridge Memory Gardens,18301 E Salisbury Rd, Independence, MO 64056.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to be made to any foundation of the donor’s choice in Norma’s name.