Pauline F. Baker

Pauline F. Baker, 98, of Humboldt, passed away February 9, 2015, at the Bishop Drumm Care Center in Johnston. A Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by Father James Tigges, will be 11:00 a.m. Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Humboldt. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Humboldt. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt. A parish rosary will be at 5:00 pm. and parish scripture service at 6:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Pauline is survived by her four daughters, Geraldine Baker and husband, John Butcher of Vienna, VA, Patricia Larsen and husband, DeLane of Humboldt, Teresa Lea and husband, Mike of Cardiff, CA, and Bernadette Greedy and Husband, Ted of Johnston; four grandchildren, Randy (Leslie Shipp) Larsen, Bob Greedy, Rebecca Greedy, (Jamie March) and Erik Lea; 3 great grandchildren, Michael Greedy, Tate Larsen, and Grace March; her sister, Dolores Yuska of Buckingham; sisters-in-law, Irma Murphy-Peterson of Scottsdale, AZ and Rosie Kvidera of Traer; and brother-in-law, Roger Baker of Scottsdale, AZ. Pauline was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward; brother, Ferdinand Kvidera, Jr.; grandson, Bill Larsen; and twin grandsons.

Pauline Frances Kvidera, the daughter of Ferdinand and Anna (Kladivo) Kvidera, was born February 29, 1916 on a farm near Dysart, Iowa. She attended country school and graduated from Traer High School in 1933. She then attended Iowa State Teachers College, receiving her teaching certificate in 1940. Following her education, Pauline taught music for six years at Ware, Iowa. On July 20, 1942, she was united in marriage to Edward Baker at Clutier, Iowa and the couple farmed in the Laurens and Rolfe areas. Pauline served as the musical director of St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Rolfe for 25 years and from 1956-1960, taught in the Bradgate and Havelock School districts. In 1979, the Bakers retired and made their home in Humboldt where she was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Choir, and the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She served as past president of the Senior Citizens and Humboldt County Historical Society, and was a charter member of Hospice of Humboldt County. She enjoyed the many winters spent in Arizona with Edward and winters in Virginia with Geraldine following Mr. Baker’s death in 2005.
Following her recovery from a fall in October of 2011, Pauline made her home at Martina Place in Johnston where she was active in senior activities and the Catholic Church. She had many hobbies, including, hand work and embroidery. An avid reader, Pauline continued to write book reports throughout her life. She enjoyed cooking and sharing cookies and casseroles with neighbors and friends. She loved gardening and her home was surrounded with flowers in the summertime.