BAKER, Ben (1912-1998)

BAKER, ABBAS, GORMAN, APPLEHONS, SMIDT, KATIUM, HOFKER, SIEFERT

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society
Date: 5/1/2023 at 18:21:00

Ben Baker
1912-1998

Services for Ben Baker, 85, Armstrong, former Hayfield resident, who died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 1998, at Valley View Care Center in Armstrong,, were held Thursday, Jan. 8, 10:30 a.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Rev. Lee Laaveg officiating.

Music was provided by Leonard Markusen, organist, who accompanied the congregational hymns.

Honorary casket bearers were Phil Hansen, Mary Hansen, William Deibler, Diana Deibler, Roger Johnson and Janice Johnson.

Active bearers were Randy Hurlburt, Rodney Baker, Scott Baker, Todd Baker, Roger Baker and Robin Hoppenworth.

Burial was at the Madison Township Cemetery, Forest City, with Petersen Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Ben Baker, the son of John and Jenny (Abbas) Baker, was born March 5, 1912, in Wright County. He received his education in rural schools near his home.

March 15, 1932, he was married to Helen Gorman at Britt. The couple made their home in Britt for a time. In 1933 they moved to Hayfield where they have lived since. Ben began his working career as a mechanic. He later worked as custodian and drove school bus for the Hayfield School for 26 years.

In 1960, Ben began working as a boiler operator for Waldorf College in Forest City. In 1961, he became Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds at the college and he remained in that position until his retirement in 1980.

He was a life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. Ben enjoyed the outdoors and like to fish and trap. In September of 1996 he moved to the Valley View Care Center in Armstrong.

He is survived by his wife, Helen Baker of Armstrong; two sons and their wives, Dean and Millie Baker of Algona, and Bob and Gloria Baker of Swea City; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; a brother, Albert Baker of Forest City; and three sisters, Emma Applehons of Thompson, Helen Smidt of Britt and Fan Katium of Belmond.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Pete. Ed and George Baker; and two sisters, Jen Hofker and Ann Siefert.

source: Leader & Signal, Garner, Iowa, 14 Jan 1998, page 4, column 1