Robert Jeremy Baker

Robert Jeremy Baker, 96, passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, of natural causes at his home in Clear Lake.  

Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake.

A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel.  Visitation continued one hour prior to the service.  Burial was in the Clear Lake Cemetery.

Bob was born Jan. 26, 1927, the son of Jeremy and Carrie (Johnson) Baker of Ventura.  Bob taught shop class to his peers for two years due to teacher shortages during World War II while attending Ventura High School himself, graduating in 1945.  During his senior year, Bob played basketball on the state qualifying team earning the nickname “Catapult.”

  After graduation, Bob started farming with his Dad in the Leland/Ventura area.  On July 5, 1948, Bob married Marion Kelck at her parent’s home in rural Mason City.  To this union, three children were born, Dianne, Denny, and Larry.  

He eventually farmed north of Clear Lake, being a pioneer in conservation tillage using ridge till farming.  His belief was saving “soil, toil, and oil.”  In 1971, his son, Denny, joined him in the farming operation.  Together they built a successful purebred hog operation selling seedstock throughout Iowa and Minnesota.  Bob was active serving as a 4-H leader, in addition to being a board member with Farm Bureau, Corn Growers, and Cerro Gordo County Pork Producers.  He also served as a deacon at the First Congregational Church.  After retirement, Bob and Marion wintered in Lakeland, Fla., for many years.

Above all, Bob loved the Lord and trusted Him as his Savior.  Family was important to him, always lovingly leading by example.  He was known for his keen sense of humor and telling a good story.  Bob’s love for farming was ever present.  Recently, when the will was there, but not the way; he sat in a chair to watch his neighbor harvest their crop.  

Bob is survived by children, Dianne (Dan) Abbott, and Denny (Patti) Baker; grandchildren, Mark (Tammy) Gobeli, Dawn (Carlos) Huerta, Heath Gobeli, Adam (Stephanie) Gobeli, Jeremy (Emily) Baker, Jacob Baker, and Rebecca Baker.  Great-grandchildren, Madison, Sophia, Susana, Charlie, Jasmine, Victoria, Cruz, Pablo, Lucile, Sloane, Sanford, and Levi.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marion; son, Larry; sisters, Dorothy Pitkin and Margaret Vaage; and brothers, Don and Loren Baker.  

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to International Messengers or Clear Lake FFA.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake was in charge of arrangements.