Margaret Baker

Margaret Baker, 99, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.

Margaret Mae was born on February 1, 1924, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the daughter of Samuel and Maude (Quick) Hoden.  She grew up in Council Bluffs and attended Thomas Jefferson High School, until the family moved to Atlantic, where she graduated from Atlantic High School.

On September 25, 1941, she was united in marriage to Roland “Rollie” Baker in Papillion, Nebraska.  The couple was blessed with four children, Gary, Joanne, Larry and Jeanne.  Margaret was a homemaker until the kids reached school age, and then started working at Dan’s Bakery and later took a job in the office at Husker News for over 30 years.  The couple enjoyed their bowling league and she looked forward to time with Rollie on several of his runs as an over the road truck driver.  The kids will always treasure the memories the family made on various outings; the roller-skating rink was one of their favorites.

Margaret never sat idle and kept busy reading, crocheting, quilting and sewing, making countless dresses for children in Africa.  Her go-tos on TV were golf and game shows, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy being her favorites.  She had wonderful memories of a cruise she took with her sister, Mildred.  If there was a family get together there was no question what she would bring, what other than her special cranberry salad!?!  Margaret took a great amount of pride in her yard and was blessed to be able to stay in her own home until the age of 98.  

Margaret’s upbeat personality and infectious laugh will be deeply missed by her daughter, Joanne (Frank) Pross; son, Dr. Larry (Mary Carol) Baker; daughter-in-law, Judy Baker; grandchildren, Laurie (Michael) Cooley, Timothy (Ann) Pross, Lisa (William) Preeg, Daniel Pross, Lynn Baker, Brian (Leah) Weight, Kristen Weight, Paul Baker; Dr. Matthew (fiancé, Kayla) Baker, and Dr. Michelle Baker; great-grandchildren, Lindsay (Drew) Downing, Leslie Herrick, Ethan Pross, Jordan Baker, Tony (Danielle) Pross, Ashley (Nick) Siepker, Megan (Mike) Andersen, Garret (Charisma) Pross, Austin Pross, Alex Pross, and Kelsey Pross; great-great-grandchildren, Grace, Knox, Jordin, Jaxon, Paxton, Hoyt, Evelynn, Aayla, Owen, MaKenna, Addisyn, Eleanor, and Payton; and sister, Mildred Rourick.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Hoden and Maude Hoden Eveland; husband, Rollie; daughter, Jeanne Weight; son, Gary Baker; a brother and sister in infancy; sister, Marilyn Smith; and brothers, Harry Hoden and Donald (Joan) Hoden.

Open visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 11^th at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

A private family graveside service will be held in the Atlantic Cemetery.  The service will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by end of day Wednesday, July 12^th.

Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Margaret's family and her arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.