Rick Baker

Rick John Baker, 60, of New Providence, passed away on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 25th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the New Providence Roundhouse, 104 N. Main St., New Providence, Iowa, followed by a Celebration of Life service, beginning at 6:00 PM. Following services, cremation rites will take place and inurnment will be held privately at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the family; they plan to create a scholarship, in memory of Rick. Abels Funeral & Cremation Service- Creps Chapel is caring for Ricky and his family. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com

Rick was born on January 27, 1958 in Eldora, Iowa, to his parents John & Harriet (Bittner) Baker. As a child, Rick lived in Union and at the age of 9, he and his family moved to New Providence, where he has remained until his passing. Rick attended New Providence High School and graduated with the class of 1976.  After high school, Rick began his lifelong farming career.

On June 7, 1980, Rick was united in marriage to Annette Hansen in Union, Iowa. The couple welcomed three children into their family. Now back to farming! Farming was the foundation for Rick and he was privileged to begin his farming career, working alongside his father. In 1985, Rick’s father passed away and he took over the family farming operation. From 2004 until 2009, Rick farmed with Dave McClellen. In 2012, he had the joy of  working alongside his son, Arick. In addition to farming, Rick owned Baker Trucking Company for 10 years.

Rick loved the Iowa State Cyclones, especially football and basketball. He also enjoyed playing pool and cards, and his family said he had the gift of gab; loving to talk on the phone and breakfast with ‘The Boys’ was an important start to his day. Rick was a hardworking family man. He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends he made along the way.

He is survived by his wife Annette of New Providence; children Nichole (Chris) Brubaker-Baker of Austin, TX; Arick (Laura) Baker of Iowa Falls, and Blake (Emma) Baker of Eldora; 1 grandchild on the way; brother Mike (Sarah) Baker of Liscomb, IA and sister Dee (Ron) Dole of Colo, IA; several nieces and nephews. Rick was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law Alvin & Norma Hansen and sister-in-law Peggy Hansen.