Kathleen "Kathy" (Kanemori) Baker

Kathleen “Kathy” Anne (Kanemori) Baker, 76, of Independence, MO (Formally of Harrisonville, MO) was born on July 25, 1947, in Philadelphia, PA to William A. & Bernadette (Whitcomb) Havel. She departed this life on Monday, April 15, 2024, at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, MO surrounded by her family.

Kathy graduated in 1966 from Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly, NJ. After graduating high school Kathy worked as a bookkeeper for Sleeper Publications, a newspaper organization in Mount Holly, NJ. Then in 1968, she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and served during Vietnam before she was Honorably discharged as a Lance Corporal in 1969 when she married and started a family.

On February 28, 1969, Kathy was united to marriage to Yutaka Edward “Ed” Kanemori in San Diego, CA. Kathy & Ed met while both were serving in the USMC. In 1972, they moved to Harrisonville, MO when Ed transferred to the Marine Corps Finance Center in Kansas City, MO to finish out his military career. After moving to Harrisonville, Kathy worked as a waitress/hostess at various restaurants in Harrisonville and later went back to school and became a Certified Nursing Assistant working at Golden Years Nursing Home. She remained in Harrisonville until Ed’s Passing in 1990.

Kathy married Donald (Don) Baker on September 4, 1992. They later divorced in 1998.

Kathy was preceded in death by an infant twin brother, her parents, husband Ed, one infant grandson, one infant great granddaughter, and a son-in-law.

Kathy is survived by her daughters, Barbara Waltz of Raymore, MO, Mary Fisher of Archie, MO, Kelly (Pat) Kittilstad of Raymore, MO, and Colleen (Rodney) Harding of Olathe, KS; 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Also surviving are two sisters, Christine (Lou) Auriemma, Medford, NJ and Geri (Terry) Hill, Flowood, MS and a brother, Bill (Carol) Havel, Richmond, TX.