Margaret J. Baker

Margaret J. Baker, 93, of Seneca passed away Friday, September 8, 2017 at Pleasant View Luther Home. Funeral Services will be held at 11 am, Saturday, September 16 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 300 E. Union Street, Seneca IL 61360, with Rev. Kris Zierke officiating. Visitation will be from 9 - 11 am, prior to services, at the church. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Osborne-Nelson Funeral Home in Seneca has been entrusted with arrangements. Margaret was born September 13, 1923 in Kewanee, Illinois to Olaf and Beda (Bergstrom) Hanson. She married Gerald J. Baker Sr. on August 18, 1946 at Zion Lutheran Church in Kewanee; he passed away February 12, 2012. Margaret received her education from Western Illinois University. During WWII, she taught in Skipper School in Seneca. Margaret was a substitute teacher in Seneca for 15 years before becoming the librarian for Seneca Grade School. She loved to farm with her husband during their marriage. Margaret was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. She is survived by three daughters, Jane Baker of Seneca, Carol Baker of Antioch, and Paula Larsen of Seneca; one son, Gerald J. (Kathy) Baker Jr. of Seneca; eight grandchildren, Matthew (Andrea) Halterman, Ryan (Sinem) Halterman, Brian (Sarah) Borchelt, Andrew and Scott Larsen, and Anna, Sean, and Molly Baker; three great-grandchildren, Ian, Amelia, and Anders Halterman; and her sister-in-law Helen Baker and her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother, Albert Hanson; and her brother-in-law, Donald W. Baker. Pallbearers will be Matthew and Ryan Halterman, Brian Borchelt, Scott and Andrew Larsen, and Sean Baker. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Our Savior's Lutheran Church or Pet Project.