A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 27, 2024, at the United Methodist Church in Lanesboro, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 27, 2024, at the United Methodist Church in Lanesboro, Iowa. A Burial will take place in the Orange Township Cemetery in rural Coon Rapids, Iowa.

Rita Baker, age 94 of Carroll, IA, formerly of Lanesboro, IA, passed away on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Journey Senior Living in Carroll.  Rita was born on February 12, 1930, to parents Harrison Porter Cretsinger and Leota Mae Clifford.  She graduated from Viola Consolidated School in 1947.  Rita worked at Garst Variety Store until her marriage to WM Baker on August 10, 1948, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA.

They farmed southwest of Coon Rapids, IA, until 1950, and then moved to a farm near Lanesboro.  Rita worked at Mathews Variety in Lake City, IA, until moving to McCrary Rost Clinic in 1967.  She retired from the clinic in 1995.  After her retirement, she then worked PMR at the Post Office and Meyers Hardware in Lake City.

Rita and William were blessed with four children: Robert (Bob), Marilyn, Paul, and Darrell. She enjoyed spending time with family, community activities, gardening, and being outdoors.

Rita is survived by her children: Robert (Bob) and wife Kathy, Marilyn and husband Frank Vierra, and Darrell's wife Lori; eight grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband William; sons Darrell and Paul; parents Harry and Leota (Clifford) Cretsinger; sister Delores Olson; and brother Marlin Cretsinger.