ERIE — Irene Alice (Anderson) Baldwin, 96, of Erie, went to meet her Lord on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Guest Home Estates VIII in Erie.
She was born on March 31, 1929, to Wesley S. and Alberta Alice (Hutchinson) Anderson in Parsons. She moved with her parents to Neosho County when she was one year old. She attended Maple Park, Grady and North Center rural grade schools in Neosho County before graduating from Thayer High School. Irene then attended McPherson College and taught school at Three Mounds and New Hope before her marriage.
On July 30, 1948, Irene was married to Ralph A. Baldwin at the Erie First Christian Church parsonage by the Rev. John Henry Cain. After their marriage, they resided on a farm north of Galesburg until 1993, when they retired and moved to Erie. Irene was a homemaker while their three children were young, but later did clerical work at the Neosho Valley Creamery, Bush Hog Factory, Neosho County Treasurer and County Clerk’s offices for several years.
Irene was a member of the Erie First Christian Church and served as a Sunday School teacher and Elder, as well as taking part in the Christian Women’s Fellowship group and church quilting group. She was a member of the Sew Blessed Quilt Guild and the Elk Creek Farmerette’s FCE Unit. After moving to Erie, she joined the Rock and Roll FCE Unit. In 2004, she and Ralph and their family were recognized as the Family of the Year at the State FCE conference. While their children were growing up, she was very involved in the 4-H program as a project leader. She loved to play the piano, raise violets, and did a lot of quilt making for her family, friends, and charity.
She is survived by a daughter, Carol (Jon) Stephens of Erie, a son, Dwight (Cindy) Baldwin of McPherson, and a daughter-inlaw, Vicki Baldwin of Claremore, OK.; four grandsons, Michael (Melissa) Stephens of Erie, Adam (Kim) Baldwin of McPherson, Kyle (Amanda) Baldwin of Claremore, OK and Kurt Baldwin of Skiatook, OK.; two granddaughters, Deadra (Bruce) Payne of Gardner, and Emily (Tyler) Fast of McLouth. Also surviving are eight great- grandsons, seven great-granddaughters and five great-great grandchildren with two more on the way. She is also survived by a sister, Mary Lou Dooley of Humboldt, and a sister- in-law, Judy Anderson of Hutchinson, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ralph Baldwin, in 2018, one son, Kenneth G. Baldwin, in 2022, and her brother, David Anderson, in 2019.
A Celebration of Irene’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, at the First Christian Church of Erie, with Russ Vallier officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery at Galesburg.
The family will receive friends at the Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Erie from 6 to 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 27.
Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church of Erie. They may be left at the funeral home or sent to P. O. Box 182, Erie, KS 66733.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
