Mary Louise Baker, age 98, of The Villages, Florida, formerly of Mark, Iowa, died Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at The Villages Cornerstone Hospice House.
Mary was born September 21, 1912, in Washington, Iowa the daughter of Howard and Susie (Sigafoose) Hopping. She graduated with the Washington High School Class of 1930. On February 16th, 1935, she married Dale Bales. On November 26, 1960, she married Ernest Baker in Des Moines, Iowa. She was a member of the Monterey Christian Church in Iowa.
Mary lived in Iowa until she moved to Florida in 1998 to live with her daughter, Sue. She started her life on a farm as a child and also, lived on a farm as a young married woman. Family and friends have enjoyed the many olden-days stories she loved to share. In the 1950's, she started a career with the telephone company which led to her retirement in 1972 from Northwestern Bell.
Mary was blessed with a long retirement, living in beautiful southern Iowa. She loved gardening and working with flowers. Children and animals held a soft-spot in her heart. She supported the Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Bend, Oregon which is a home for abused horses and seeking children.
Mary is survived by three daughters, Nancy Schmitt of Lake Lotawana, Missouri, Sue Tornquist Swartz of The Villages, Florida, and Joy Tibbitts and husband Ronald of Duluth, Georgia; 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; infant brother, Ray; her husband in 1992; a daughter, Linda; three sons-in laws, Leland Schmitt, Donald Tornquist and Donovan Swartz.
A service celebrating Mary's life will be held at the Jones-Eden Funeral Home in Washington, Iowa at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 18th. Visitation will be prior to the service starting at 9:00 AM. Burial is at the Schrock Cemetery. Memorials may be made to The Villages Cornerstone Hospice House.