Ronald Baker, 85 of Montezuma passed away Sunday, December 10, 2023 at UnityPoint Health at Grinnell.  Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Friday, December 15, 2023 at the Searsboro Friends Church in Searsboro.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 14 beginning at noon with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma. Burial will be held in the Pleasant Township Cemetery at Ewart.  Memorials may be designated to the Searsboro Friends Church.  Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of the arrangements.

Ronald Dean Baker was born on August 6, 1938 at Grinnell, Iowa to Dorothy Emmert Baker and Clifford Baker.  He grew up on the farm just north of Searsboro and graduated from Searsboro High School in 1955. He played slow pitch and was a lifelong farmer. Ronnie was united in marriage to Rilla Watson on February 19, 1966 at the Searsboro Friends Church.  They became the parents of four children, Lisa Jane, Rodney Dean, John Paul and Randall Duane.  Along with being a farmer, Ronnie also worked at the Grinnell College, Monsanto and the Montezuma Sale Barn. He enjoyed spending time with his family and also bowling, slow-pitch and most of all farming. Ronnie loved his ice cream and especially loved sharing a bowl with his great grandson, Sawyor. He was a member of Farm Bureau and served on the Board of Directors for many years.  He attended and was active in the Searsboro Friends Church. Ronnie enjoyed visits to and from his granddaughter, Tabatha Jane Johnson and his great grandson, Sawyor James Thole.  Sawyor always kept him entertained.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Dorothy Baker; his in-laws, Lewis and Lucille Watson; his son-in-law, Donnie Johnson; his sister, Donna Rae McMulin; brothers-in-law, Freddy Watson, Raymond Watson, Marvin McMulin and sister-in-law, Mary Jo Watson.

Ronnie leaves behind his wife, Rilla Darlene; children, Lisa Jane Johnson, Rodney Dean (Jill) Baker, John Paul Baker, and Randall Duane Baker; granddaughter, Tabatha Jane Johnson; great grandson, Sawyor James Thole; niece, Lisa Mulbrook; nephews, Jeff McMulin and Jeremy McMulin; sisters-in-law, Martha (Don) Vos, LuAnne (Mike) Dean, Mary Lou Watson; brother-in-law, Bill (Diane) Watson; and many other relatives and friends.