Judy L. Baker

Judy L. Baker, 74, of Waltham, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2025, at Primrose Retirement Community, in Appleton, WI, where she moved to be closer to her daughter.   

As per her wishes, Judy will be cremated and buried alongside her husband.  Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 AM Friday, February 21, at Queen of the Holy Rosary Shrine in La Salle with Rev. J.A. Small officiating. A memorial visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM, Friday, February 21, at the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle.  A private burial will be held at a later date.

Judy was born on May 10, 1950, in La Salle, to Peter G. and Margaret (Fillipeck) Sampo Sr. She graduated from LaSalle-Peru Township High School in 1969. Judy married Edwin C. Baker, on November 14, 1970, and they moved to Waltham to live on the family farm.  

Judy retired from OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in 2016 after a long career as part of the Building Operations Department supporting many areas of the hospital.  She earned her Certified Nursing Assistant Certification and worked as a CNA at Heritage Woods of Ottawa alongside her employment at the hospital. 

Judy was a member of the LaSalle VFW and CWV Auxiliaries and New Windsor Sportsman’s Club, Victoria, IL.  She was raised Catholic as a member of the Queen of the Holy Rosary Church. 

Judy was a force of nature always looking for her next adventure.  She loved to spend time with her family and friends, enjoyed baking, shopping, and traveling (especially trips to Las Vegas or a Casino Riverboat with her parents on a Sunday afternoon). She loved to stay active whether she was “mall walking”, playing volleyball, bike riding or taking care of the farm and its many animals - she stayed busy! She enjoyed sipping her coffee all day long. She was always there for anyone in their time of need and was the center of our universe. 

Judy is survived by her mother, Margaret (Fillipeck) Sampo, of LaSalle; one daughter, Karen (Joseph) Burgoni III, of Appleton, WI; three sons, Jeffery (Deanna) Baker of Waltham, Brian (Christina Burleson) Baker of Waltham and Christopher Baker of Waltham; four grandchildren - two granddaughters; Mia Burgoni and Cassie Baker, and two grandsons;  Joe Baker and Rian Baker; two sisters, Sandy (Chris) Noll of Arlington, Christina (EJ) Gray of Oglesby; three brothers, Jerry (Shawn) Sampo of Conway, TN, Peter (Linda) Sampo, Jr, of LaSalle, Greg (Lisa) Sampo of Fairbury, IL, and her beloved cat, Latte. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Peter G Sampo, Sr, and her husband, Edwin C Baker.

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