Wilma Marie Baker

Wilma Marie Baker was welcomed by God into eternal life in the morning of August 7, 2023 at the Kavanaugh House. She was 97 years, one month and one day on this earth.

Wilma was born to Ancil and Nellie Field on July 6, 1926 in Winterset, Iowa. She was the last surviving of her three sisters and three brothers. Wilma graduated from Winterset High School where she lettered in basketball. She met her future husband, Dwight of 62 years, through her brother Willard. They were engaged on Christmas Eve and married the following March of 1947 in Missouri.

In Winterset, Wilma was employed at the Ben Franklin store and at the Iowa Theater. After the couple moved to Des Moines, Wilma worked at Northwestern Bell until they started their family. She sold World Book Encyclopedias and later worked for Polk County Social Services along with her sister, Virgie and niece, Linda.

She spent a lot of time attending her kids and grandchildren’s sporting events. Every time they would look, she would be there watching. She would bake the best pie and other baked goodies. She was a long-time member of Zion Lutheran Church where she made many life long friends and spent many hours volunteering.

She will be dearly missed by her children, Mike Baker and Gina (Mike) Miller;
Her nine grandchildren, Emily (Brad) Croll; Christine Baker, Reid (Alli Minehan) Baker, Amanda ( Derek) Nelson, Bethany Cochran (Matt Gooding), Brett (Lindsy) Baker, Stacey (Eric) Edmundson, Geoff (Meg) Miller, Tyler (Emily) Miller; 16 great-grandchildren, Tate, Nora, Hallie Nelson, Briella, Camden Cochran, Easton, Pearl, Barrett Baker, Brooks, Beau, Banks, (Little girl due in August) Edmundson, Lexi, London, Lola, and Lincoln Miller; many nieces and nephews; special friends, Dan Whalen and Lynn Ogren; neighbors, Mary, Miles and Evelyn; and many other friends.

Wilma joins in a Heavenly reunion with her husband Dwight Baker; her son Dwight “Ike”; parents; and siblings, Willard, Dean and Almon Field, Virgie Allen, Sara Hewitt, and Madelyn Wald.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines with services at 11:00 a.m. After a light lunch, burial will follow at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, IA.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the outpouring of support, prayers and condolences we received from our friends, loved ones and community. Your kindness and compassion provide us with strength and comfort.

I can no longer see you with my eyes, or touch you with my hands, but I will feel you in my heart forever…

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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