Judith Baker Obituary

I have not known Judy as long as my husband has. Julian met Judy when he and his family came to St. Timothy in 1952. He has memories of Luther League and the Luther League Convention. I first met Judy (or knew who she was) after I transferred to St. Timothy in 1958.

I believe my first real contact with Judy is when she student taught at Foreman High School. She taught in my history class under Ms. Elgass (whose father owned a funeral parlor on Armitage Ave.. Judy was a fantastic teacher, she made history so interesting and come alive, you know, little tidbits of gossip along with the facts.



My next encounter with Judy was after I graduated from college. I joined the Young Women’s Club and the Church Choir. The younger members had a tradition of going out for coffee after choir practice and I was invited to join their group. This is when I really got to know Judy. As I am sure most of you know, she was a born organizer. She organized a trip up to the Dells over Memorial Day weekend. The girls had two motel rooms while the guys had to share one room. Another time she organized extra outings while we were up at Lutherdale for a winter retreat. Larry (I believe) had a club membership up in Lake Geneva and we were able to spend the day on the grounds. That was the first and last time I was ever on a snow mobile.



The choir group got together for Christmas and summer at our home or Carol and Peter’s place. Julian and I first met Ron 30 years ago at Herb and Norma Weinthaler’s wedding. (I brought those photos with me to show her at the hospital last week.). Ron fit right into the group and were now “Judy and Ron”. It is because of Ron and Judy that we were invited to several very fancy events – great memories.



Judy organized summer outings for just the women. We went out to lunch, high tea or to a museum. One memorable time was two or three years ago after we ate at the Art Institute and planned to go the pearl exhibit at the Field Museum. We waited and waited for the free trolley and when it finally arrived it was full. It was decided to hail a cab. We had a lot of laughs while trying to fit all 6 of us in the cab. I sat in the front with the driver while Judy, Carol, Pat, Dorothy and Marge sat in back. I can’t remember who sat on laps, but the door barely closed on them. We know the driver thought we were nuts, but he had a good story to tell after he dropped us off at the museum. Our last ladies group get together was this summer when Carol and Judy hosted an English Tea in Glenview.



I am sure she is up in heaven right now finding something that needs to be organized! Judy will be greatly missed.



Eileen (and Julian)Ronning

Chicago

Please accept our sincere condolences. Judith was a well respected and esteemed colleague.

As you know, my deepest sympathy and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

My deepist sympathy