Lila Jean Baker

Lila Jean (Chadwick) Baker, 73, died March 21, 2026, surrounded by her family. 

Lila was born March 25, 1952, in Twin Falls, Idaho, to David Bean and Jenny Hoops Chadwick. 

She grew up as the oldest of 10 children on the family farm and ranch near Hollister, Idaho. She spent her youth pulling cockleburs, hoeing beans, working in the potato harvest, picking rocks and beating the sagebrush during rabbit drives. She attended the country school at Hollister for grades 1-6 and was bussed 30 miles to the junior high and high school in Filer, Idaho for the remaining years. She participated in every sport and activity open to girls at the time, became Governor of Idaho Girls State, a page in the Idaho legislature, and graduated with salutatorian honors. 

After high school, Lila attended Brigham Young University. While majoring in English, she nonetheless took many classes in the animal science department as a way to connect with her roots. Through classes in the animal science department, she was able to participate on the intercollegiate livestock judging team.  

Of those years she wrote, "Because I was homesick, I took an animal science class and met the greatest guy I ever knew." And that "greatest guy" was Hugh Baker. Not one to rush things, three years later Hugh asked Lila to marry him, and they were married at the Salt Lake Temple on Nov. 21, 1974. 

Hugh and Lila then returned to Hugh's home community in Moses Lake, where Hugh farmed with his dad and brothers.  

Hugh and Lila raised six children in Moses Lake and taught them to work hard and dream big. They supported them through scouts, sports, and academics. She was proud that all of her children graduated from college and became scientists, doctors and other professionals. 

Through the years she continued to develop her artistic talents in a variety of mediums, including painting, carving, decorating, tatting and writing. She helped many in the community fill out their applications, write their essays and apply for college. She hosted three exchange students and supported others in college. 

Lila had unwavering faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ. She served faithfully in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through the years. She worked diligently in genealogy. She and Hugh were able to serve a mission together in the Illinois-Chicago Mission in 2018-2019. 

Lila was preceded in death by her husband Hugh and her parents.  

She is survived by her children: Haven (Teresa) of Eagle, Idaho; Whitney (Bridget) of Richmond, Texas; Ivin (Christina) of Fall City, Wash.; Golden (Feven) of Seattle; Cassidy (Bo) Beus of Moses Lake; and Liberty (David) Woodland of Issaquah, Wash.; along with 25 beloved grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, David Chadwick, Christine Billington, Marcia McManus, Lynn Jaynes, Tim Chadwick, Jane Payne, Janet Capps, Lee Chadwick and Rachel Ellsworth. 

Services are under the direction of Kayser's Chapel of Memories. A viewing will be held at the mortuary Thursday, March 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. Lila's funeral will be Friday, March 27, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the LDS church at 1849 Nelson Road. Burial at Guarding Angels Cemetery will follow. 

Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at https://bit.ly/LBAKER26.