Mary Ellen Baker

Mary Ellen (Semple) Baker passed away peacefully at the age of 90, on Friday, July 27, 2018. She was born August 27, 1927, to James Hamilton and Minnie Ellen (Steele) Semple in Colfax, Iowa, the youngest of five children. At the age of 3, her family moved to Des Moines, where she graduated from East High School in 1945.

She attended York College in York, Nebraska for one year before starting her career as a bookkeeper for Central National Bank in Des Moines. She also worked as a bookkeeper for Greenbaum Construction and Bergstrom Construction companies, before retiring in 1992.

On October 8, 1948, she was united in marriage to Marvin Dale Baker at Christ Evangelical United Brethren Church in Des Moines. To this union was born one daughter, Carol Ann, on September 29, 1956.

Mary was a member of Union Park Presbyterian Church for over 50 years singing in the choir, serving as a Deacon and Elder, teaching Sunday School, and as a Youth Group Leader.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Orlie and James Jr., and sisters Louise and Betty.

She is survived by her husband Marvin; daughter Carol; grandsons Marty, Shannon (Sheila), and Andrew (Kara); granddaughter Cathy; great-grandchildren Destini (Shannon), Colton, Taylor, and Skylynn; great-great-granddaughter Sutton; nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 2, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, from noon to 8 p.m., with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Services will be held on Friday, August 3, at 10 a.m., at Union Park Presbyterian Church, 1307 Thompson, Des Moines, with burial at Resthaven Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the family or Union Park Presbyterian Church.

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