Melva Baker

Melva Adele Baker, age 69, a longtime Atlantic resident, passed away at the Cass County Memorial Hospital Monday, February 6, 2006.Melva was born in Atlantic, Iowa to Melvin Elmer and Verla Eleanor (Gochanour) Butcher on May 4, 1936. She grew up in Atlantic until 1942 and then moved to California attending school in San Diego. On January 9, 1954, Melva was united in marriage to Kenneth E. Baker, Sr. in Los Angeles, California. The couple raised four children, mostly in the Brea, California area before moving to Atlantic in 1986. Melva enjoyed being a homemaker and was a loving wife and mother and she loved going with her family to the casino in Council Bluffs.She is survived by two daughters, Pam Rudy and husband, Russ of Walnut, IA and Linda Sellers and husband, Larry of Atlantic; two sons, Kenny Baker, Jr. and wife, Mavis of Anaheim, CA and Gary Baker of Atlantic; grandchildren, Tracey Helvie and husband, Chad of Atlantic, Jason Sellers and wife, Carrie of Louisville, NE, Amanda Maier and husband, Kevin of Atlantic, Christina Chavez of Atlantic, Rachel Fulk and husband, Jason of Atlantic, Ashley and Michael Baker of Anaheim, CA, Brittany, Cody and Chelsea Baker of Atlantic; great grandchildren, Paige Dennis, Ryan Helvie, Dillon Baker, Jordan Ewing, Madison Helvie, Kolby Sellers, Aubrey Ewing, Brady Fulk, Cameryn Helvie, Alexis Ewing, Carter and Caleb Fulk, Kymberlee Sellers and Kaleb Maier; sisters, Yvonne Harrelson and Laura Ihnken of Atlantic; brother, James Butcher and wife, Carolyn of Atlantic; sisters-in-law Bonnie Cromer and Frances Baker; one uncle, Harlow Butcher and his wife Lil; one aunt, Margorie Butcher, cousins and many nieces and nephews.Melva was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; her parents, Melvin and Verla Butcher; brothers-in-law Earl Baker, Sonny Baker, Jack Ihnken and a granddaughter, Kathy Chavez.A family gathering for Melva will be held Wednesday, February 8, at 1:00 PM at the Roland funeral Home with Pastor Ken Davidson officiating. Interment will be in the Atlantic Cemetery at 2:00.Funeral InformationVisitation: Family gathering at 1:00 P at Roland Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 8th. Funeral: 2/8/2006, 1:00:00 PM Burial: Atlantic Cemetery