BAKER, Francis C. 1932-2011

BAKER, HAVENSTRITE, COMMONS

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 9/9/2011 at 00:49:10

[Waterloo Courier, Sunday, July 3, 2011]

Francis C. Baker passed away peacefully June 18, 2011, following a long fight with COPD.

Francis was born Feb. 18, 1932, to Carl and Anna Baker in Waterloo; he was the third of seven children. He overcame humble beginnings during the Great Depression to graduate from Waterloo East High School and by working at Rath Packing Co., putting himself through UNI to become a math teacher. After his reserve unit deployed to Arizona in 1961, he discovered engineering work at The Boeing Co., Seattle. He enjoyed a 35-year career at Boeing culminating in a long assignment leading the technical publications team for the B2 stealth bomber project.

In 1953 Francis married his high school sweetheart, Jo Ann Havenstrite, and quickly started the process of raising their four children. After nearly 25 years of marriage, they elected to part ways. Francis met Erica Commons in the late 90s. After a couple years of courtship, they married in 2001 and have shared a very happy life since.

Francis loved sports, especially football. He turned his passion for the sport into a long career as a football referee where he officiated scores of high school, little league and semi-pro football games. He also served as a leader of the Seattle chapter of the National Football Foundation to help promote high school and college football as a means to develop leadership.

Faith and church were the center point of Francis' life. He was a Lutheran from birth, baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran, Waterloo. He was an avid singer with a beautiful baritone voice and he regularly did solo work for such events as weddings and funerals. He was a valued choir member until illness took his ability away.

Francis is preceded in death by his mother, father, and sisters, Corinne and Millicent.

He is survived by his brothers, John, Frederick and Arthur; his sister, Barbara; wife, Erica; children, David, Alan, Karen (Justin) and Tom (Carolyn); grandchildren, Joni (Corey), Tristan (Michael) and Grace; and great-grandchild, Mariana.

A memorial service will be held at St. John United Lutheran Church, Seattle, at noon on Saturday, July 9, (5515 Phinney Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98103).

Memorials may be provided to Lutheran World Relief or the American Lung Association.

Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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