- Born on: July 5, 1942
- Departed on: July 16, 2023
- Resided in: Richland, IA
Ronald Orrin Baker
Ronald Orrin Baker was born July 5th, 1942, in Rock Falls, IL; the son of Clarence and Marie (Foy) Baker. He attended school in Tampico, IL and graduated from Walnut High School in 1962. Ron was in the United States Navy and served on the USS Glacier in Antarctica and on the USS Sheldrake in the Vietnam War as a diesel mechanic. While on leave in Hawaii, he met his wife Karen Rae (Henke) where she attended college. They later were united in marriage on November 6, 1967, in Walnut, IL. He moved to Hedrick, IA and spent his life as a long time over the road truck driver for different national and local trucking companies. He spent his later years fishing, spending time with family, watching SY-FI or reruns on TV and sitting on the front porch pestering people walking or driving by. He was an ornery man with a twinkle of mischief in his eye and a chuckle to follow.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Baker, and was a proud father of 7 children; daughter Deanne Baker of Oklahoma City, OK; daughter Christine “Critta” (Brian) Aulwes of Guttenberg, IA; son Brian (Heidi) Baker of Ollie, IA; daughter Alisa (Jason) Tolle of Richland, IA; daughter Terri (Daryl) Crochet of Richland, IA; son Steven (Brandi) Baker of Richland, IA; daughter Nicole (Harmon) Anderson of Grand Junction, CO.
He was blessed with 15 grandchildren: Leighton(Aulwes) (Collin) Koerperich of Delhi, IA; Ivy and Gage Aulwes of Guttenberg, IA; Kaden, Cael and Quinnlyn Baker of Ollie, IA; Elizabeth Tolle (Andrew Gambell) of Richland, IA, Dominique Tolle (Greg Ford) of Richland, IA; Cassidy Tolle (Braedyn Baylor) of Richland, IA; Austin Crochet of Fairfield, IA; Lathe Crochet (Danae Drish) of Fairfield, IA; Kaya and Logan Baker of Richland, IA; Ila and Ezra Anderson of Grand Junction, CO
In his retirement, he enjoyed his 7 great grandchildren: Carlie, Carter and Calvin Gambell, Avery and Rylan Ford, Keenan and Kleo Koerperich and was gifted with the news of one on the way for his 81st birthday.
He was preceded in death by his parents and 5 brothers and 2 sisters.
Ron was cremated after a private family viewing. The family will have a Requiem Mass Friday, July 21st at 4 pm at St Joseph Catholic Church in East Pleasant Plain, IA, with Father Damian Ilokaba presiding. Burial following at St Joseph Catholic Cemetery with a military salute.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established. Mail cards and well wishes to PO Box 148 Richland, IA 52585.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Baker, and was a proud father of 7 children; daughter Deanne Baker of Oklahoma City, OK; daughter Christine “Critta” (Brian) Aulwes of Guttenberg, IA; son Brian (Heidi) Baker of Ollie, IA; daughter Alisa (Jason) Tolle of Richland, IA; daughter Terri (Daryl) Crochet of Richland, IA; son Steven (Brandi) Baker of Richland, IA; daughter Nicole (Harmon) Anderson of Grand Junction, CO.
He was blessed with 15 grandchildren: Leighton(Aulwes) (Collin) Koerperich of Delhi, IA; Ivy and Gage Aulwes of Guttenberg, IA; Kaden, Cael and Quinnlyn Baker of Ollie, IA; Elizabeth Tolle (Andrew Gambell) of Richland, IA, Dominique Tolle (Greg Ford) of Richland, IA; Cassidy Tolle (Braedyn Baylor) of Richland, IA; Austin Crochet of Fairfield, IA; Lathe Crochet (Danae Drish) of Fairfield, IA; Kaya and Logan Baker of Richland, IA; Ila and Ezra Anderson of Grand Junction, CO
In his retirement, he enjoyed his 7 great grandchildren: Carlie, Carter and Calvin Gambell, Avery and Rylan Ford, Keenan and Kleo Koerperich and was gifted with the news of one on the way for his 81st birthday.
He was preceded in death by his parents and 5 brothers and 2 sisters.
Ron was cremated after a private family viewing. The family will have a Requiem Mass Friday, July 21st at 4 pm at St Joseph Catholic Church in East Pleasant Plain, IA, with Father Damian Ilokaba presiding. Burial following at St Joseph Catholic Cemetery with a military salute.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established. Mail cards and well wishes to PO Box 148 Richland, IA 52585.
