Mildred Mary (Dinkel) Baker

January 17, 1935 - October 5, 2022

Mildred (Millie) Baker, age 87, passed peacefully at her home on October 5, 2022, into the arms of her Lord and Savior surrounded by those she loved. 

Mildred was born January 17, 1935, in Grainfield, Kansas, the daughter of Amalia (Rohr) and Joseph Dinkel. She was named after her nurse that helped deliver her but preferred to go by Millie. She was also a birthday gift to her older sister, Wilma, and celebrated many wonderful birthdays together.  

Millie grew up in a large family in Grainfield, Kansas. She worked at her family’s grocery store until graduation from Grainfield High School in 1953. Upon her graduation, Millie moved to Salina, Kansas and pursued a degree in cosmetology. She was a successful entrepreneur, owning and operating several beauty salons in Topeka, Kansas for many years. She was a long-time member of the Kansas Board of Cosmetology and retired in 2014. 

She met her husband Charles Duane Baker in Topeka, KS. They united in marriage in Grainfield, Kansas at Millie’s home parish on August 8, 1960. Millie and Duane enjoyed 62 years of marriage and raised 3 children in Topeka, Kansas.  

Millie was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. She continually devoted her life to the well-being of her children and grandchildren. Millie is remembered for her generous caring heart, beautiful smile, and her amazing contagious laugh. She was a resilient woman and a strong role model to many. Her culinary skills were well known among her family and friends. The most requested of her dishes was Millie’s legendary meatloaf, dumplings, taco salad and bierocks.  

She was a long-time member of the Mater Dei Catholic Church in Topeka, Kansas. Millie faithfully prayed her rosary daily with loved ones and friends in mind. Her lifelong religious devotion was a testament and inspiration for everyone that knew her.  

Millie is survived by her husband, Charles; her daughters Vicki (Kent) Miller and Cheryl Gibson; sisters Joan (Phil) Zerr, Betty (Ray) Gagnon and Don (Sherry) Dinkel; sister-in-law Donna (Don) Wilson; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, friends, and extended family.  

She is preceded in death by her parents; her son Timothy Baker; her brothers Joseph Dinkel, Ben Dinkel, Rudy Dinkel, Adolph Dinkel, and Alvin Dinkel; her sister Wilma Schumacher and her son-in-law Dennis Gibson. 

A Celebration of Life will be held in Topeka, Kansas on Saturday October 29, 2022, at Christ the King Catholic Church (5973 SW 25th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66614). The Rosary will be prayed at 9:00 a.m. and a Catholic Mass will follow at 9:30 a.m. Lunch will be served in Christ the King’s fellowship hall following the funeral mass.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions towards a memorial scholarship. The scholarship has been set up at the Hays Academy of Hair Design designated in honor of Millie’s cosmetology career. Contributions can be mailed to: Cheryl Gibson (P.O. Box 8853, Topeka, Kansas 66608).