Myrna Lee Baier, 94, of Cissna Park, IL, passed away at 5:15 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, at Accolade on Pells in Paxton.
Born on August 15, 1931, she was the oldest daughter of Leonard L. and Lena Potts Leiding. She was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Woodworth, IL?on February 14, 1932. She was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Cissna Park, IL on July 27, 1952.
She resided in Crescent City, IL?for 3 years and then in Watseka, IL, until the time of her marriage to Richard D. Baier at First Christian Church in Watseka on July 2, 1950. She graduated from Watseka Community High School in 1949 and continued her education at Ray Vogue School of Dress Design in Chicago.
She and Richard lived in Wrightsville Beach, NC, and Alexandria, VA from January, 1951, until October of 1951 while he was in the Marine Corps, and then moved into their home on North First Street in Cissna Park. During their retirement years they wintered at Everglades City, FL. In 1958, they formed Baier Publishing Company, where they published the Cissna Park News and Rankin Independent and did job printing. Myrna worked as bookkeeper and proof reader for many years until son, Rick and wife, Sharon, took over and purchased the business.
She served as bookkeeper, treasurer and box office manager for the Country Theatre Workshop for many years. In 1993, she became treasurer and overseer for the timeshare, River Wilderness in Everglades City, FL, where she and her husband lived during the winter months. She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church and an associate member of Everglades Community Church. Myrna was a long time member of the Cissna Park Jr. Woman’s Club, Trinity Ladies Aid LWML where she served as President, and also the American Legion Auxiliary. She served as President of the Illinois Association of Fire Protection District Ladies Auxiliary for 4 years. Myrna was dedicated to her family, an avid quilter and made quilts for family members. She loved playing games with her family, doing jigsaw puzzles and reading.
Survivors include four children, David Lee (Beth) Baier, Ricky Alan (Sharon) Baier, Bruce Edward (Venetia) Baier, and Barbara Ann Baier, all of Cissna Park; six grandchildren, Kara (Andy) Peabody of Noblesville, IN, Mitchell Baier of Tacoma, WA, Trevor (Jill) Baier of Ames, IA, Lauren (Jake) Sanders of Mahomet, Logan (Sami) Baier of Chatham, and Whitney (Jake) Wise of Loda; nine great grandchildren, Kalianne, Annika and Alden Peabody, Ian, Brynn and Dylan Baier, River and Skye Sanders, and Lucas Baier; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; parents, Leonard and Lena Leiding; two sisters, Patricia Barth and Joyce Henke; and an infant nephew, Paul Edward Barth.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Cissna Park or its sewing group.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:30 a.m. funeral service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cissna Park with Rev. Dale Fjordbotten officiating. Burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Please share a memory of Myrna at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.
