Alice Koerner-Baker

Alice Koerner-Baker, 91, of Sioux Center, IA, formerly of Freeman, SD, died Saturday, January 11, 2014, at Sioux Center Community Hospital. A visitation will be held on Thursday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 6-8PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center, IA. A funeral service will be held Friday at 9:30AM at First Reformed Church of Sioux Center, IA with Rev. Travis Else officiating. A prayer service for family and friends will be held on Friday at 1PM at the Zion Reformed Church of Menno, SD with Rev. Travis Grassmid officiating. Interment will follow the prayer service in the Menno Cemetery of Menno, SD. The Koerner-Baker prefers memorials to the Gideon's International. Alice V. (Oswald) Koerner-Baker was born at Menno, South Dakota to Emil and Sarah (Schaeffer) Oswald on March 28, 1922. Alice was confirmed in 1936 at the Salem Reformed Church. At one year of age, Alice's father passed away as the result of an accident. Alice attended country school for 8 years in Yankton County. Instead of furthering her education, Alice stayed home to help her mother with farming until her marriage to Calvin Koerner on January 12, 1941, in Menno. She faithfully helped him with his farming career until retirement. To this union of 62 years, 4 children were born: Arlo, LaVern, Clinton, and Tweila. After Calvin passed away, she married Henry Baker on October 25, 2003. Alice loved to quilt, garden, and bake. Many family members treasure the quilts she made. Her husband Calvin always said she could have fed all of Hutchinson County with her garden. She especially enjoyed baking for all of her family and friends, and always looked for opportunities to make something. Her caramel rolls were a hit every Thanksgiving, and she continued to bake up until the week of her passing. In her last days, she got to say special goodbyes to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On January 11, 2014, at the age of 91, Alice passed away quietly at the Sioux Center Hospital in Sioux Center, Iowa with family members by her side. Those left behind to cherish her memory include three children, Arlo and Edith Koerner of Freeman, SD; LaVern Koerner of Phoenix, AZ; and Tweila and Norm Van Voorst of Sioux Center, six grandchildren; a step-grandchild and ten great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law from the Koerner family: Ruth Record of Menno, SD and Leona Koerner of Freeman, SD as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Preceding her in death was her husband Calvin; her second husband, Henry Baker; a son, Clinton; two brothers and sisters-in-law: Rueben and Adella Oswald, Edwin and Lanora Oswald; sister and brother-in-law, Amanda and Siggy Liepelt; and a step-grandson, Paul Van Voorst.