Baker, Kenneth (1950-2008)

BAKER, FARLEY, KELLEY, BARTEL, BOLTE, CONRAD, BURKS, PETERSON, CURL

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 4/27/2010 at 15:56:26

Kenneth Baker - Feb. 4, 1950 - July 11, 2008

Kenneth Baker, age 58, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Friday, July 11, 2008, at Mercy Medical Center in Storm Lake as the result of injuries sustained in a car accident.

Kenneth Allen Baker was born February 4, 1950, in Onawa, Iowa, the son of Donald and Beulah “Bobbie” (Farley) Baker. He was baptized June, 1969, in Onawa. Ken graduated from Whiting High School with the Class of 1968.

On June 14, 1969, Kenny was united in marriage to Patricia Kelley in Blencoe, Iowa. The couple was blessed with a son, David, and a daughter, Kelley. In later years, they felt blessed to have Marc, Susanne and Charlie Bartel come into their lives, and they have considered them their children since that time.

Ken entered the United States Army on September 2, 1969. He served his country with honor and distinction during the Vietnam War. He was wounded in action and received five Purple Hearts before his discharge on June 2, 1971.

Ken’s war injuries followed him through the rest of his life, and he was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). He was employed by National Cash Register in Sioux City, Iowa, for 18 years. He was transferred to Storm Lake in 1972. In 1987, Ken became a rural mail carrier, working out of the Storm Lake Post Office. He enjoyed this job, and the people he met on his mail route.

Ken was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. He served as Scout Master for local Boy Scouts Unit 105 and was leader of the Motor Monkeys 4-H group. Kenny was blessed with the ability to fix anything and everything and was well-known for his ability to “McGyver” a solution for every problem. He enjoyed all kinds of auto and vehicle repair, and he was crew chief for several race car teams. He liked to go hunting and was a member of the Storm Lake Gun Club. He enjoyed taking a road trip to one of the area casinos. Fishing with his grandchildren was always high on Ken’s list of favorite pastimes. He and Pat loved to work together on their rural Storm Lake acreage, which they called “their little patch of Heaven.” A loving husband, devoted father and treasured grandfather, Ken always valued his family as his first love and priority in life. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 39 years, Patricia, of Storm Lake: his son, David Baker, of Des Moines, Iowa; his daughter, Kelley (Tracy) Bolte of Ballwin, Missouri; grandchildren: Erika and Andrew Baker; and Austin, Spencer, Asher and Parker Bolte; special other children: Marc Bartel of Omaha, Nebraska; Susanne (Mike) Conrad and Charlie (Amy) Bartel, both of Overland Park, Kansas; sisters: Linda Burks of University City, Missouri, and Nancy (Michael) Peterson of Martinsville, Indiana; father- and mother-in-law, Bill and Bonnie Kelley of Onawa, Iowa; brothers- and sisters-in-law: Steve and Barbara Kelley of Annandale, Virginia, and Mike and Dianne Kelley of Onawa; sister-in-law Peggy Curl of Overland Park, Kansas; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Ken was preceded in death by his father, Donald Baker, and his mother, Buelah “Bobbie” Baker.

Funeral Service for Mr. Baker will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Storm Lake with full military rites by the Alta VFW Post 6172. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends may call Tuesday, July 15th, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake where the family will be present the entire time. The rosary will be recited at 3:30, and a parish vigil service will be held at 7:00, both at the funeral home during visitation hours.

Copyright © 2008, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home

Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
 

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