Gertrude Margaret Mahan Baker

MAHAN, BAKER

Posted By: Mary Jo Skarda (email)
Date: 1/1/2002 at 19:06:56

Gertrude Margaret (Mahan) Baker, age 77 of Grand River, Iowa, daughter of James Edwin and Etta Catherine (Lucas) Mahan, was born August 21, 1923 in McKinney, Texas and died March 9, 2001 at Iowa Mehtodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

When Gert was 6 years old she moved with her family from Texas to Mount Ayr, Iowa She graduated from Mount Ayr High School in 1941. Gert worked as a Bell telephone operator in Mount Ayr before her marriage.

Gert married Keith Charles Baker of Grand River on May 5, 1946. To this union three children were born: Monte Keith, Deanna Kay, and Barry Charles. The family made their home on a farm near Grand River. Gert and Keith lived on the same farm since the year after they married.

After Barry started school, Gert began sewing for the newly-opened O'Bryan Brothers, Inc. at the Decatur County fairgrounds in Leon. Gert continued working for 22 years, retiring as an inspector.

Gert was a member of the Grand River United Mehtodist Church since the 1960's and was a member of the Maple Grove Friendship Club. Gert was very active in the Charles Ladd American Legion Post #215 Auxiliary of Grand River and was currently serving as president.

Gert enjoyed flowers, gardening, sewing and was an excellent cook. Gert made her grandchildren heritage jean quilts for their high school graduations with pieces from all the family members' old jeans. She was an avid Hawkeye fan and loved the Iowa State Fair.

Gert was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law Sherman and Gerna Baker; and sister-in-law Betty Jean Mahan.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 55 years, Keith Baker of Grand River: her children: Monte Baker and wife Mary Jo of Creston, Iowa, Deanna Renshaw and husband Vern of Minburn, Iowa and Barry Baker of Grand River; her grandchildren: Brandon Renshaw and wife Carolyn, Jamie, Bret and Kelly Renshaw; Toshia See and husband Eddie, Tonya Gonseth and husband Dustin, Clint Brown, Travis and Jordan Eggman; sisters Dorothy "Dot" Caskey and husband Wendell of Hallsville, Missouri and Betty Katherine Coates and husband Jack of Allen, Texas; brother Jim Mahan and wife Marilyn of Leon; brother-in-law Eugene Baker and wife Mary of Mount Ayr; sister-in-law Pauline Andrew and husband Giffin of Grand River; and other relatives and many friends.