Howard E. Baker

Howard E. Baker, 85, of Marysville, KS, died Saturday, February 13, 2010, at his home with loved ones by his side. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 17, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Marysville. The Rev. Donnie Hofman officiated. The sermon text was from Ephesians 6: 10-17. Carol Wright played the organ while the congregation sang “Onward Christian Soldiers” and “Heaven is My Home”. The choir sang “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” and “On Eagles Wings”. The pallbearers were Lyle Baker, Bob Baker, Bill Scheele, Mark Baker, Tim Scheele and Eric Scheele. The honorary pallbearers were Ed Wiegers, John Smith, Jim Lindeen, Rudy Vopata, Marvin Utech and Bernard White. Burial was in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Blue Rapids. Howard was born March 1, 1924, at Blue Rapids, KS, the son of Lloyd W. and Bessie (Brew) Baker. He graduated from Blue Rapids High School in 1942. After graduation he worked in northeast Nebraska for 3 months before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in September 1942. He served in the Pacific Theatre in WWII for 3 ½ years. He was an Aviation Ordnance man 2nd Class sailor when honorably discharged in 1945. In 1948 he joined the Kansas Army National Guard and was called to active duty and took the 250th Ordnance Unit as Commander to Ft. Riley during the Berlin Crisis in 1962-63. In 1968 he was called to serve at Ft. Carson, Colorado with the 69th Brigade and did a tour in Vietnam for 9 ½ months. He had a total of 29 ½ years of military service in which 12 ½ years were active. He retired as a Major. His lifetime vocation was 40 years of service with Kansas Power & Light. He started as an apprentice, became a lineman, then line foreman. In 1968 he took the position of Division General Foreman at Hiawatha. In 1981 he was transferred back to Marysville and held the position of General Foreman for the Manhattan Division. He retired in 1988. Howard had a variety of hobbies including fishing, wood working, shooting pool, crosswords, playing scrabble and making fine wines. He was involved with many Veteran activities and organizations. He was a Past Commander of the Hanover American Legion Post #306, and also held all the offices for the Marysville American Legion S.M.N.& R. Post #163 and was Sergeant Of Arms for 15 years. He was a loyal member of the American Legion for 66 years and a lifetime member of VFW. Howard served as a Marysville City Councilman for the 3rd Ward for 8 years. He was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Marysville. He was baptized and confirmed on January 27, 1952. He served his church as a trustee, Elder and Chairman of the congregation. On September 17, 1950, he married Evelyn Scheele at the Zion Lutheran Church Parsonage in Herkimer, KS. They had been married for 59 years and to this union were born 7 children. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Henry, Lloyd W. Jr., Christopher, William and Robert J.; one son, Warren; and one grandson, Josh Lord. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn; six children, Christa Lord and husband Ed of Marysville, Mary Poell and husband Mick of St. Marys, Tom Baker of Larned, Howard D. Baker of Denver, CO, Brenda Zabokrtsky and husband David of Seneca, James Baker and wife Joni of Ft. Collins, CO; one sister, Ruth Turley, Marysville; twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Howard was a kind, generous, loving man having empathy for others. He was a devoted husband, father, grand and great-grandfather. He truly enjoyed all his family and many friends. He walked his life’s path with his Savior by his side. He was faithful to his country and to all it stands for. Rest in peace. Memorials may be made to the Disabled Veterans of Kansas or Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Howard E. Baker, please visit our flower store.