Wanda Rae Baird, 85, of Louisville, KY, and formerly of Rolling Prairie, IN, died Friday, Dec. 5, 2014.
She was born Aug. 27, 1929, in Gary, IN, to Joseph Rae Kuhl and Laura Belle (Stoner) Kuhl.
Wanda graduated from East Gary Edison in 1948. She started work in the Rolling Prairie Post Office as a clerk in 1958, was appointed to postmaster in 1984, and retired in October of 1992. Rolling Prairie knew her as Mrs. Claus at Christmas time as she initiated the Santa Claus box for the children and answered every letter. She was an officer in the National League of Postmasters, president of South Bend and Gary Chapter of Postmasters, four years vice president of State League of Postmasters, and state legislative chairman and chairman of numerous national committees. She received numerous awards for lobby safety and philatelic displays. After retirement she moved to Mesa, AZ, until 2012, when she moved to Louisville.
Wanda is survived by her daughter, Marla Rae (Baird) Vido (husband Paul) of Louisville; her son, Patrick W. Baird of Rolling Prairie; two grandsons, Michael Baird of Rolling Prairie and Jason Baird of Ocala, FL; nieces, Judy (Wilfred) Batista and Nancy (Del) Coughlin, both of Arizona, Patty Stephens of Hobart, IN, and Linda (Larry) Hedges of Merrillville, IN; and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her former husband, William Baird.
Visitation will be at Essling Funeral Home, LaPorte, on Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Rolling Prairie Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Moving Forward Limb Loss Support Group c/o Belinda Jacobi, 4219 Lakeside Dr., Sellersburg, IN 47172.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.