Lydia (Ostendorf) BAKER

BAKER, OSTENDORF, BLAU, ZOOK, MAYO, COLLINS, KLEHM, OLINGER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/15/2007 at 09:31:40

BELMOND - Lydia Baker, 84, of Belmond, most recently of the Belmond Health Care Center, died peacefully in her sleep Tuesday (Sept. 11, 2007) at the Belmond Health Care Center. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at the Belmond United Methodist Church with the Rev. Michael Druhl officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E. in Belmond, and continue one hour prior to the service on Friday at church.

Lydia Ostendorf, the daughter of Otto F. and Katie (Blau) Ostendorf, was born Dec. 4, 1922, on her parents' farm in rural Franklin County, south of Alexander. She grew up in the Alexander area where she attended school and graduated from Alexander High School as salutatorian of her class. During her youth she was active in the school girls basketball programs. Lydia was united in marriage to J. Harold Baker, the son of Guy D. and Mildred (Zook) Baker, at her parents' home in Alexander. Their union which lasted nearly 65 years and was blessed with a daughter, Cynthia Kay. Following their marriage, Lydia joined her husband in a lifelong partnership of farming. She was more than just a farm wife, but looked forward to spending time working the soil behind the wheel of a tractor and plowing. Lydia also looked forward to being the support crew to Harold, her grandsons, and others who they farmed along side. She was always sharing her wonderful culinary and baking talents with them by providing them with home cooked meals and bringing nourishment to the fields.

Lydia relished the opportunity to entertain family and friends and anyone who would stop in for a visit, or gather for a family celebration. They would be invited to cup of coffee and share a slice of homemade pie, cookies, a delicious dessert, or a mouth watering meal made with her loving hands. Lydia was always up for a good conversation and loved to share a story with her many friends and family. Lydia was always one to be sure the needs of others were placed before her own. In addition to working the farming operations with her husband, Lydia had worked for many years as a regional district manager for World Book Encyclopedia. She had also worked for periods of time at Chub's Drive-In, Clarion and at the A&W in Belmond. Lydia had been active in the community as well, serving for a time as a 4-H Judge, on the 4-H County Committee, and as a member of the Wright County Rural Women's Chorus. Her church life was very important through her life's journey. In earlier years she was active at the Reformed Church in Alexander. She was a past member of the United Methodist Church of Clarion and currently was a longtime member of the Belmond United Methodist Church. Lydia had been active in the United Methodist Women and the Rebecca Circle. Lydia always looked forward to her get together for a game of bridge, whether, with the ladies at Bridge Club, or a competitive game with her grandkids at the holidays or another occasion. Gardening, cooking, baking and canning were among her favorite passions.

She enjoyed all kinds of music and will be remembered by those who knew her well for her beautiful writings. She took great pride in writing her thoughts be it in a letter to a loved one or friend, or in her plans for a presentation at a lady's group meeting. Lydia never met a stranger. She was a lady of great hospitality and shared her warm and welcoming personality with nearly everyone. Many will reflect upon Lydia's trait of introducing herself as, "my name is Lydia Baker, will you be my friend?!" Her family will miss her beautiful smile, warm and caring attitude, and the unending love of "mom" and "grandma."

Her memory will be cherished fondly in the life of her daughter, Cynthia Kay Mayo and husband, Phil, of Belmond; her grandsons, Philip George (Jody) Mayo Jr. and wife, Lisa, and John Percy Mayo and wife, Michelle, and Eric Thomas Mayo and wife, Christine, all of Belmond; her great-grandchildren, Nicole Marie Mayo, Andrew Taylor Mayo, Corbin Andrew Mayo, Gregory Eugene Collins, Ashlyn Rose Mayo, and Victoria Ravin Mayo; a brother, Harry Ostendorf, of Oshkosh, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband J. Harold Baker, March 24, 2006; her sisters, Clara Klehm and Jeanette Olinger; and her brothers, Frank Ostendorf and John Ostendorf. Andrews Funeral Home.

Mason City Globe Gazette, IA
9/12/2007