Barbara J. Baker age 82, of Freeport formerly of Lena passed away at her home on Monday, March 17, 2014 following a long illness at home.

Barbara was born on November 11, 1931 in Lena, IL. She was the daughter of Homer and Jane (Wales) Stabenow. Barbara graduated from Lena High School in the class of 1949. She attended Rockford Business College and began working for Attorney Nettles in Lena, IL. Barbara was employed later by Burgess Battery in Freeport and later Micro Switch where she was gainfully employed for 31 years in the assembly lines and as a parts handler at the Rawleigh Building in Freeport, until retiring on December 31, 1993. She married Marvin "Bake" Baker on April 11, 1959 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. Marvin preceded her in death on April 25, 1998. Barb was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Freeport; she enjoyed reading, collecting cookbooks and Hallmark ornaments. She was a Die-hard Bears Fan. Barbara truly loved being around her family.

Survivors include one son Gene (Kim) Baker of Roscoe, IL, one daughter Sharon Serna of Freeport; four grandchildren - Stephanie (Lucas) DeSpain of Streator, IL, Chelsey Baker of Freeport, Lannea Bear of Freeport, and Nicholas Serna (fiancée Mayra Munoz) of Austin, TX; two great-grandchildren Mikenna DeSpain and Peyton Bear.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Husband, and Step-mother Rose Ann Stabenow.

Services will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2014. 2:00 PM at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Freeport, IL.

Visitation will be on Saturday, March 22, 2014 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, IL.

Rev. Mark Luepke will officiate at the service.

Burial will be held in Lena Burial Park Lena, IL.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in her name for Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and the Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center in Freeport, IL.