Winnie Ruth Baker Smith, formerly of Harrisburg

Winnie Ruth Baker Smith, 88, of Overland Park, Kan., passed quietly away Sept. 8, 2024, at Anthology Senior Living in Olathe, Kan., surrounded by her family.

She was born March 23, 1936, in Harrisburg to Clinton Paul and Lena Baker. Winnie, eldest of three daughters born to CP and Lena, was united in marriage to William Donald Smith May 28, 1952. The couple moved often for Don's work, eventually settling in Shawnee Mission, Kan. She loved gardening, both indoors and outdoors, canning vegetables, quilting, and was a wickedly good bridge player. Winnie never missed a Sunday at Lenexa Baptist Church, which she called her home away from home, even traveling to the Holy Land with the church group in 2009.

Winnie is survived by her three children, Steven Michael and wife Sandie of Watertown, Wis., William Paul and wife Jackie of Shawnee, Kan., and Lori Anne Smith Andrews and husband Dale of Middletown, Md.; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her two sisters, Judith Anne Rutherford of Blacksburg, Va., and Susan Lynn Patchin of San Diego, Calif., and multiple loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years and her parents. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Monarch Hospice and Palliative Care, 7451 Switzer St, Suite 100, Shawnee KS 66203.