Claudia Marie Baker

Claudia Marie (Ferguson) Baker was born September 1, 1924, in Linn, Missouri, to Cumberland Richard and Hattie Pearl (Bunch) Ferguson. Claudia was a 1942 Linn High School valedictorian and attended the University of Missouri at Columbia.

On September 1, 1949, Claudia was united in marriage to Clarence Jones Baker in Linn. They made their home on the Vogel family farm outside of Linn their entire married life.

Claudia was a life-long member of St. John's United Methodist Church where she served in numerous roles. She enjoyed playing the piano for worship services. In her earlier years, she was a member of Eastern Star and the Buckendorf Extension Club. On August 21, 1985, she met with other community members to found the Osage County Historical Society which stands today as a tribute to her foresight, industriousness and belief in the importance of preserving knowledge of our roots.

Claudia embraced her primary role as a homemaker through managing her home, cooking, gardening, sewing, volunteering in the 4-H club and at the Linn R-2 school. She was devoted to caring for her parents in their final years.

Claudia passed away Friday, June 27, 2014, at the Tiffany Heights Care Center in Mound City, Missouri, at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence, of fifty-two years, infant son, John Richard and two brothers, Clyde and Clinton Ferguson. Survivors include one daughter, Aimee Seymour and husband, Lane, Fairfax, Missouri, three sons, Byron Baker, Clell Baker and wife, Janet, all of Linn, Clate Baker and wife, Ann Marie, Springfield, Missouri, and daughter-in-law, Barbara Baker, Linn; one sister, Marjorie Jenkins, Lee's Summit, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Amber Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Kaitlin Roberson, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Emily Yoo, Columbia, Missouri, Benjamin Baker, St. Louis, Missouri, Bradley Baker, St. Joseph, Missouri, Bryce Baker, Linn, Christian Baker, Columbia, Grace Baker, Linn, Alexander Baker, Springfield; six great-grandchildren, Ethan, Emmett, Avi and Olive Roberson, Daphne Baker, Avery Baker, and one soon-to-be-born baby boy; numerous nieces and nephews.

Claudia's smile and love remained her greatest asset during her declining years.

Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, July 2, 2014, St. John's United Methodist Church, Linn, Missouri.
Interment: Linn Memorial Park Cemetery, Linn.
Memorials:
Osage County Historical Society, or St. John's United Methodist Church.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 ? 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, July 1, 2014, at the Morton Chapel, Linn.
Online obituaries and condolences: www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services directed by Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port, Missouri, and Morton Chapel, Linn.