Baker, Russell Davis 1896 - 1974

BAKER, SPROATT, MARQUESEN

Posted By: Norman Hjelmeland (email)
Date: 6/14/2021 at 19:36:59

Russell Davis Baker, prominent Decorah businessman, died Monday afternoon at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital. He was 77.
Mr. Baker grew up here and had been in the wholesale lumber business in Decorah from 1935 until his retirement in 1970.

Memorial services for Mr. Baker will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1 at the Olson-Fjelstul Home. Father Ralph W. Cockshoot Jr. of Rockford, Ill., former Episcopal minister here, will deliver the eulogy. Music will be furnished by Alan Sensor, organist and Mrs. W.D. Willer soloist.

Burial will be in the Phelps Cemetery to which he had devoted much of his time. Mr. Baker was president of Phelps Cemetery Association for 20 years and is responsible for the reorganization of the association, establishing a firm financial basis through a perpetual care program.

Mr. Baker and his wife, Ruth, also were patrons of the Decorah Public Library with a gift of $5,000 approximately ten years ago. The Bakers have continued to give books to the library also.

During World War II, Mr. Baker also was instrumental in establishing a Youth Center in Decorah for young people.

He was a member of the Elks Club and the American Legion.

Mr. Baker is survived by his wife, Ruth; a daughter, Mrs. John (Jean) Sproatt and a son, William D. Baker, both of Decorah; and six grandchildren, Jan Marquesen of Minneapolis, Burr Sproatt of Sun Valley, Idaho, Rusty Sproatt of Tuscon, Ariz. and David, Deanne and Joel of Decorah

Russell Davis Baker was born December 13, 1896 in Castalia, the son of Albert and Maud Baker. The family moved to Decorah when Mr. Baker was an infant and occupied the residence which has remained the Baker home atop Prospect Place overlooking Decorah.

Mr. Baker attended Decorah High School, Valders Business College and the University of Minnesota.

He enlisted in the army in World War I and achieved the rank of lieutenant.

He was active in the lumber business most of his life beginning work in that business in Maquoketa where he was married in 1920.

Mr. and Mrs. Baker then moved to Guthrie Center where he managed a lumber yard for Green Bay Lumber Co. until 1928. He also was employed in San Francisco in the Redwood lumber business until 1935 when the Bakers moved back to Decorah to establish a wholesale lumber business.

Mr. Baker is the last surviving member of his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

Source: Decorah Journal, January 31, 1974

Phelps Cemetery
 

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