Richard H. Baker

SIOUX CITY -- Richard H. Baker, 88, of Sioux City passed away Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, following a lengthy illness.

Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, September 12, 2009 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Roger Madden officiating. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Richard was born in Ute, Iowa, on Oct. 14, 1920, to Almarine and Artie (Holt) Baker. He rode a train to Sioux City to find employment.

He met his future wife, Bernita F. Davis, at the local roller skating rink. They married on Aug. 9, 1941. From this union were born a son, Richard, and two daughters, Constance (Holtz) Summerlin and Barbara Abara. He worked for Bruce Compton at the Sioux City Stockyards firm from 1955 to 1960. He then worked at the Compton farm (good friends) until retirement.

He served his country during World War II for four years with the U.S. Army in New Guinea. He loved the color red, the outdoors, working with cattle, vegetable gardening and his rose garden. He especially loved his race horse, Sassy Babe.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Bernita; a son, Richard; two daughters, Constance and Barb and her husband, Okey Abara; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren, all of Sioux City; and a sister, Ruby of Volga, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Michael; and six brothers.

Pallbearers will be Okey Abara, Nathan Abara, Richard F. Baker Jr. and Loretta Ann Alvizo.

The family would like to thank all of the staff at Indian Hills for their love and support of Grandpa. God bless all of you.