Willis "Willy" Baker

Willis "Willy" Baker age 66 of Rock Rapids, IA died Saturday, April 16, 2011 at his residence following a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, April 19th at the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, with Rev. Cliff Hoekstra officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery at Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Monday, April 18th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. Willis Baker was born on March 12, 1945 on a farm near Alvord, IA, the son of Peter W. and Anna (Vander Broek) Baker. He grew up in the Alvord area where he attended school. On April 17, 1964, he was united in marriage to Jane Medema in Rock Rapids, IA. Willy's love of trucks soon led him to owning and operating Baker Trucking, hauling livestock and grain. After selling his truck he drove for Pettengill Concrete and Gravel, McCormack Transportation and Farmers Elevator Coop. He retired on April 2, 2010. Willy was a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. He enjoyed playing pinochle, going to sprint car races, having coffee and visiting with friends. He was very proud of his collection of toy trucks to which he took great care in customizing to scale. He loved spending time with family and was especially proud of his grandchildren. Willis is survived by his wife of almost forty-seven years, Jane Baker of Rock Rapids, IA; three children, Val (Ed) Sneller of Doon, IA, Brian (Sherry) Baker and Brad (Stephanie) Baker, both of Rock Rapids, IA; eight grandchildren, Brandon, Joel and Danielle Sneller, Jaydon and Maycie Baker, and Emma, Nolan and Evan Baker; and one great-granddaughter, Tori Sneller; his mother, Anna Baker of Rock Valley, IA; one sister, Janice (John) Attema of Alvord; one sister-in-law, Anna Marie Medema; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Peter W. Baker; father-in-law, Tony Medema and mother-in-law, Pearl Medema. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to: Sanford Hospice Lyon County.