Branch Army
Enlistment March 31, 1944 At Camp Dodge Herrold, Iowa
Discharge November 8, 1945
Service Number 37693488

Funeral services for Harold Kenneth Baker were held Monday, August 3, 1998, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Manning, Iowa. Reverend Larry McAlpine officiated the service with Janet Myer as organist and Kay Rutherford as vocalist. Interment was held in Dow City Cemetery, Dow City, Iowa, with Cheri Mahoney, Leland Nelson, Paul Nelson, Nancy Nelson, Jenny Marti, Jeff Baker, Jason Parker, Rodney Parker, Theresa Baker, Robert Baker, Katie Baker, David Baker, Chris Baker, Nathen Baker, Jake Mundt, Kelly Mundt, Dustin Green, Nick Green and Kelsey Green as casket bearers. Military honors at the committal service at Dow City Cemetery were held by the Manning American Legion and VFW Posts.

Harold Kenneth, son of John Effram and Etta Mae Ten Eyck Baker, was born December 20, 1915, near Dunlap, in Harrison County, Iowa. He grew up in Dunlap where he attended high school. After completing his schooling, Harold worked as a carpenter and painter.

On March 28, 1940, Harold was united in marriage with Ruth Mildred Best in Dunlap. He worked as a meat cutter in Dunlap and then worked in Omaha, Nebraska in a packing-house. In March of 1944, Harold was drafted into the United States Army and served his country in Germany and France during World War II. After receiving his honorable discharge in October of 1945, he worked as a meat cutter in Walnut and Harlan, Iowa, and Ashland, Nebraska. In 1967 his brother, Walter, asked him to come to Manning to work as the meat cutter at his grocery store, Manning Food. After working with his brother for ten years, he retired and then worked part-time.

His wife, Mildred, died in 1978.

In 1991, Harold moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he lived until June of 1998.

Harold was a member of the United Methodist Church and the American Legion.

Due to failing health, Harold became a resident of the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa, a short time before his death there on Thursday, July 30, 1998, at the age of 82 years, 7 months and 10 days.

Besides his wife and parents, Harold was preceded in death by a son, Richard Kenneth; four brothers: George Baker, Leo Baker, Everette Baker and Walter Baker; and two sisters, Ella Burr and Mable Stevens.

Harold is survived by four daughters: Marilyn and her husband, LaVerne Nelson, of Elk Horn; Joanne and her husband, Gary Parker, of Columbus, Nebraska; Beverly and her husband, Larry Mundt, of Fort Worth, Texas; Susan Green of Norfolk, Nebraska; three sons: Charles Baker and his wife, Melody, of St Louis, Missouri; Russell Baker and his wife, Barb, of LaVista, Nebraska; Randy Baker and his wife, Kathy, of LeGrand; nineteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.