Obituary of Lila Baker

The family of Jessie “Lila” Baker are saddened to announce her passing on July 30, 2023 at Fairview Personal Care Home at the age of 94 years.  Lila was born in Lethbridge on December 12, 1928.  Mom resided in the Brandon area most of her life.  She grew up on the Scott family farm north of Forrest and attended Gourlay rural school.  She achieved her grade 11 at Elton Collegiate in Forrest.  She and her sister biked 7&1/2 miles one-way daily to gain their education, boarding at Forrest during the winter months.  In 1947, she moved on her own to the YWCA in Winnipeg where she earned her cosmetology certification, and was later employed at NuFashion Salon in Brandon. In 1950, she married Bill Leys of Oak Lake and they farmed there till 1960.  They then continued farming in the Oakner district for 5 years.  A third move was made in 1965 to Langruth where they farmed and managed the Langruth Legion where Lila had a lifetime membership. Together they raised six children. With Bill’s sudden passing, Lila and her three younger children moved to Brandon in 1979.  Mom was employed at Chez Cloth and Perth’s Cleaners for many years. In 1989, she married Louis Jarnouin.  They travelled to the East Coast before he suddenly passed away in early 1990.  In 1991, she married Dennis Baker who passed in 2022.  Lila and Dennis travelled extensively and spent 17 winters in Victoria.   Mom loved to sew for her grandchildren whether it be pjs or teddy bears, but she had a true gift for hardanger embroidery.   Lila is survived by daughters, Carol Dresler (Ron) and Candis Arksey (Gerald); sons, Ken Leys (Kathy) and Donnie Leys (Sandra); 13 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and her brother, Art Scott (Pat). She was predeceased by husbands: Bill in 1977, Louis in 1990 and Dennis in 2022; son, Garth Leys (Telayne) in 2012; daughter, Dana Munro (Scott) in 2018; brother, Bill Scott (Lorna); sister, Lucy Pachal (Ted) and parents, Eunice and George Scott. 

At Mom’s request there will be a graveside family gathering at Langruth cemetery at a later date.