Zela Baker Holt

Zela Baker Holt, 84, Shawnee, Kansas passed away Sunday, May 23, 2009 at her home surrounded by her family.

Zela was born June 5, 1924 in Valhalla, Missiouri to Joseph Dawsie and Nellie Beulah Baker the second of four children. She graduated from Lowry City High School and attended Central Missouri State Teachers College in Warrensburg receiving her bachelors and masters degree in education. Mrs. Holt began her teaching career in 1950 and retired from Shawnee Mission South High School as Guidance Counselor. After retirement Mrs. Holt attended Johnson County Community College and obtained her paralegal degree. She had a great thirst for knowledge and took many classes at the college.

Mrs. Holt was a member of Monticello United Methodist and taught adult sunday school class for many years and was also a member of the United Methodist Women, a sixty year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, served as an election judge, and was a member of the Retired Teachers Association.

Zela and Olan, her husband of 49 years, visited 48 states in their motorhome. They also traveled to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Hawaii, were winter Texans and were members of NCT and Family Motor Coach Association. Among her many travels she visited the United Kingdom, Europe, Israel, and Egypt.

Mrs. Holt was preceded in death by parents , her son Buddy Holt , two brothers Basil Lynn Baker and Irvin Leon Baker and by her sister June Baker Watson. She is survived by her husband Olan Holt, of the home; a daughter, Linda Holt Doebbeling and husband Fred, Lenexa, Kansas; granddaughter, Jennifer Roser and husband Zachary, and their son Dylan Michael, all of Olathe; granddaughters Brenda Mathieu and her husband Rick, and Tracy Meaden and her husband Ian, both of Chicopee, Massachusetts; a grandson Joseph Richards, California; four great grandchildren, Samantha, Amanda, Barbara and Ian also of Chicopee, Massachusetts, and many nieces nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Kansas City Hospice, 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, Missouri 64114 or to the Shriner's Childrens Hospital.

Visitation and Funeral Service

Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, at the Monticello United Methodist Church, 75th and Gleason Rd. Shawnee, Kansas with Eastern Star services at 7:30 pm. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 27th at 11:00 a.m. at the church a visitation will be held a half hour prior to services.