Kenneth Baker, Sr.

Ken Baker, Sr., 75, longtime Atlantic resident, died at the Cass County Memorial Hospital Sunday, June 19, 2005.
Ken was born the son of Claude Orvile and Margaret (Petty) Baker, in Orange, California, August 16, 1929. He grew up in the Southern California area where he attended school in Los Angeles. He served in the United States Navy (stationed, most of the time, in Johnson Islands) from 1946 to 1950. Ken was married to Melva Butcher January 9, 1954 in Los Angeles and the couple enjoyed raising their family of four children, mostly in the Brea, CA area.
Ken later moved to Atlantic, Iowa in 1986. He was a supervisor in the U.S. Post Office for 27 years, retiring in 1990. Ken worked part-time for the City of Atlantic (Public Library and City Hall) and later, at the Zion Lutheran Church. His family will remember how he enjoyed going to the dog races in Council Bluffs, golfing and doing odd jobs around the house.
Ken is survived by his wife, Melva; children, Pamela Rudy and her husband, Russ, of Walnut, Linda Sellers and her husband, Larry of Atlantic, Kenny Baker Jr. and his wife, Mavis of Anaheim, CA, and Gary Baker of Atlantic; ten grandchildren, Tracey Helvie and her husband, Chad of Atlantic, Jason Sellers and his wife, Carrie of Louisville NE, Amanda Maier and her husband, Kevin of Atlantic, Christina Chavez of Fort Dodge, Rachel Fulk and her husband, Jason of Atlantic, Ashley Baker of Anaheim CA, Michael Baker of Anaheim, CA, Brittany Baker of Atlantic, Cody Baker of Atlantic and Chelsea Baker of Atlantic; 14 great-grandchildren, Paige Dennis, Ryan Helvie, Dillon Baker, Jordan Ewing, Madison Helvie, Kolby Sellers, Aubrey Ewing, Brady Fulk, Camryn Helvie, Alexis Ewing, Carter Fulk, Caleb Fulk, Kymberlee Sellers and Kaleb Maier.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Bobby, Earl and Sonnie; his granddaughter, Kathy; his father and mother-in-law, Melvin and Verla Butcher and his brother-in-law, Jack Ihnken.