Ronald Baker, 85, of Montezuma, passed away Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, at UnityPoint Health in Grinnell. Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, at Searsboro Friends Church. Burial was in Pleasant Township Cemetery at Ewart. Memorials may be designated to the Searsboro Friends Church.
Ronald Dean Baker was born Aug. 6, 1938, at Grinnell to Dorothy (Emmert) and Clifford Baker. He grew up on the farm just north of Searsboro and graduated from Searsboro High School in 1955. He played slow pitch and was a lifelong farmer. Ronnie was united in marriage to Rilla Watson Feb. 19, 1966, at Searsboro Friends Church. They became parents of four children: Lisa Jane, Rodney Dean, John Paul, and Randall Duane. Along with being a farmer, Ronnie also worked at Grinnell College, Monsanto, and Montezuma Sale Barn. He enjoyed spending time with his family and also bowling, slow-pitch, and most of all farming. Ronnie loved his ice cream and especially loved sharing a bowl with his great-grandson Sawyor. He was a member of Farm Bureau and served on its board of directors for many years. He attended and was active in Searsboro Friends Church. Ronnie enjoyed visits to and from his granddaughter Tabatha Jane Johnson and his great-grandson Sawyor James Thole. Sawyor always kept him entertained.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws Lewis and Lucille Watson; his son-in-law Donnie Johnson; his sister Donna Rae McMulin; his brothers-in-law Freddy Watson, Raymond Watson, and Marvin McMulin; and his sister-in-law Mary Jo Watson.
Ronnie leaves behind his wife Rilla Darlene; children Lisa Jane Johnson, Rodney Dean (Jill) Baker, John Paul Baker, and Randall Duane Baker; granddaughter Tabatha Jane Johnson; great-grandson Sawyor James Thole; niece Lisa Mulbrook; nephews Jeff McMulin and Jeremy McMulin; sisters-in-law Martha (Don) Vos, LuAnne (Mike) Dean, and Mary Lou Watson; brother-in-law Bill (Diane) Watson; and many other relatives and friends.
