Helen M. Baker

ARMSTRONG -- Helen Baker, age 94, formerly of Hayfield, IA, presently residing at Valley Vue Care Center in Armstrong, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at the care center. Funeral service will be Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 10:00 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Pastor Barb Spaulding officiating. Burial will be at Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM Friday, January 26 at the funeral home and an hour prior to service at the church.





Helen Marie Baker was born in Sandhills, Nebraska on July 14, 1912, the daughter of Oscar and Mary (Bankson) Gorman. She received her education in country schools in Gowrie, Iowa and Woden, Iowa. She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Gowrie.





On March 15, 1933, she was united in marriage to Ben C. Baker at Britt, Iowa. The couple made their home in Hayfield for many years. Helen worked in the Housekeeping Department at Waldorf College until retiring. She loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren. Sitting on the lake shore fishing for bullheads with Ben was a perfect way to spend time together. Helen liked doing handwork of all kinds ñ sewing, crocheting and embroidering. She enjoyed caring for her flower gardens.





In August of 1996 Helen moved from Hayfield to Swea City, Iowa to be closer to family. A year later, in August of 1997, she made her home at the Valley Vue Care Center in Armstrong, Iowa. She died there on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at the age of 94 years.





Helen is survived by two sons and their wives: Dean and Millie Baker of Algona and Bob and Gloria Baker of Swea City. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.





She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ben, sisters Leone and Lola and brothers Oliver and Clarence.