J. Harold BAKER

BAKER, ZOOK, BLAU, OSTENDORF, MAYO, ERICKSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/30/2006 at 15:03:17

J. Harold Baker, 85, a life long resident and farmer in Belmond, died on Friday, March 24, 2006, at the Belmond Medical Center. Funeral services were held on Monday, March 27, at the Belmond United Methodist Church. Rev. Michael Druhl officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery.

J. Harold Baker was born on August 5, 1920 on a farm in rural Belmond, the son of Guy D. and Mildred (Zook) Baker. He attended country school and graduated from the 8th grade at the Baker School. As a young man he began his life long passion and career of farming the land, first helping out with the family farming operation and then on his own. Harold was united in marriage to Lydia Ostendorf, daughter of Otto F. and Katie (Blau) Ostendorf on December 14, 1941, at the home of her parent's in Alexander. This union was blessed with one daughter. Cynthia Kay. Following their marriage, the couple farmed together in rural Belmond, raising crops and dairy cattle for many years. Harold was also a long time seed corn salesman for Super-Crossed Seed Company, today's Midwest Genetics.

He is survived by his wife, Lydia of nearly 65 years; a daughter, Cynthia Kay Mayo and husband, Phillip of Belmond; a sister, Ruth Erickson and husband, Robert of Belmond; one brother, Richard Baker and wife, Elaine of Hampton; three grandsons; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Donald and Duane "Jack" Baker.

March 30, 2006
© Wright County Monitor 2006