Verna Baker

VERNA J. BAKER

Verna J. Baker, age 74 of Kahoka, MO, died Tuesday, February 25, 2014 in the Clark Co. Nursing Home in Kahoka where she had been a resident the past year and a half.

Verna was born November 29, 1939 in Sarben, NE, a daughter of Fred and Blanche Osborn Oakley.

She was united in marriage to James D. Baker on March 21, 1958 in the Chapel on the Thames Navel Base in New London, CT.

She grew up in Nebraska, graduating from the Belgrade High School where she had first
met her future husband, James.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, James D. Baker, of Kahoka, MO; one son, Leonard James Baker of Alexandria, MO; two daughters, Denise Kruse of Bloomington, MN and Crystal (Mrs. Jeff) Bohnenkamp of Montrose, IA; eight grandchildren: Adam Kruse, Matthew Kruse and Rachel Kruse, all of Ritchfield, MN, Derek Kruse of Scottsdale, AZ, Nathaniel and Dalton Baker of Alexandria, MO, and Jacob and Zach Bohnenkamp, both of Fort Madison, IA; two brothers-in-law, Fred (Terri) Hellbusch of Burns, Oregon and Bill (Linda) Hellbusch of Eugene, Oregon; a sister-in-law, Meredith Larsen of John Day, Oregon; as well as nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She and Jim first met in Nebraska where he had lived in earlier years. He had returned several times to Nebraska visiting family and friends where they were able to reconnect. After he joined the Navy, they exchanged letters for approximately seven months before their marriage in 1958 in Connecticut. They spent a year there until he was transferred to the Carolina's where they had their first baby.

They moved to the southeast Iowa area in 1972 for Jim's career opportunity at Conrad American Grain Bin Co. Verna then worked for Motorola in Mt. Pleasant, the Bonny Buyer and later the Green Acres Golf Course in Donnellson, IA.

Verna was always a farm girl, working beside her dad as a son would do, plowing and harvesting fields, driving tractors and milking cows. She loved her animals, especially her dog, Lucy, as well as her pet cats and horses. Friends and neighbors enjoyed her beautiful flowers and gardens she grew and she loved doing so. Following Jim's retirement in 1997, they moved to the northeat Missouri area.

She and Jim were active members of the Kahoka Presbyterian Church and were very involved in the community with their commitment to the local Clark Co. Food Pantry. They enjoyed playing cards with family and friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Pastor Charles Hammack officiating. Burial followed in the Kahoka Cemetery.

Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to the Clark Co. Ministerial Alliance or the Alzheimer's Association.

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