Hazel Ruth Baker

November 14, 1928 - November 4, 2021

Hazel Ruth Baker, age 92, of Albia, passed away Thursday, November 4, 2021, at Wesley Acres in Des Moines, Iowa. Hazel was born on November 14, 1928, to John Henry and Mildred Victoria (Spaur) Marlin at their home in Bussey, IA. She went to country school at the age of 4 and graduated from the Albia High School with the Class of 1945. On May 6, 1945, she was united in marriage to James Lowell Baker and to this union, 6 children were born, Diane, James, Marty, Gordon, Becky, and Dick. Hazel and Jim shared 55 years of marriage prior to Jim’s passing on February 19 2001. Hazel was a homemaker while raising her children and later went to work for the United Telephone Company as a telephone operator until her retirement. She was a member of the EUB Church and later the United Methodist Church in Albia. In her younger years, she was active in the PTA and enjoyed attending her sons’ baseball games. She enjoyed quilting, cross stitching, and embroidering. She kept her mind active by doing word searches, cross word puzzles, and playing Solitaire. Hazel loved to travel, including to Ireland, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Branson, and eventually began wintering in Texas. Above all else, family was everything to her and she cherished all of the time spent with them, especially with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Hazel is survived by her children, Diane Reeves, James (Tonia) Baker, Marty (Mary Ann) Baker, Gordon (Donna) Baker, and Becky (Larry) Gordon; 13 grandchildren, Renee, Robyn, Sean (Patty), Gretchen, (Dan), Joe (Cheryl), Shannon (Jason), Melanie (Jay), Amber (Jason), Bob (Kris), Lisa (Kyle), Travis (Taya), Jeremy (Amber), and Jessica (Jordan); 33 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; siblings, John Marlin, Joan (Larry) Beary, Kay (Larry) DeVos, Wayne (Candace) Marlin, and Don (Jeany) Marlin; and sisters-in-law, Lola Ivins, Norma Barnes, and Betty Baker. Hazel is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends. Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, James; a son, Dick; her parents, John and Mildred Marlin; 2 grandsons, Ross Edwards and Korey Baker; 2 great granddaughters, Samantha Sawyer and Laina Gordon; a son-in-law, Dave Reeves; and 2 sisters, Darlene Amoss and Jane Hughell Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 8, 2021, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Hazel’s family present from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. to greet family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Albia, with Pastor Roger Henry officiating. Burial will follow services at Oak View Cemetery in Albia. A memorial has been established to Trinity United Methodist Church in Albia.