Arlene S. (Wooge) Baker

Arlene S. Baker, 79 of Hudson and Forest City passed away on Sunday, June 09, 2013 at the Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am Monday, July 1 at the Evangelical Free Church in Britt. Interment will be in the Crystal Township Cemetery in Crystal Lake at 10:00 am. Ewing Funeral Home in Britt, assisted the family.

Arlene S. Baker, the daughter of William and Grace (Hefte) Wooge was born on December 6 in rural Forest City.  She attended country school west of Forest City and graduated from Forest City High School in 1952. On Sept. 21, 1953, she married Allen Baker at the Evangelical Free Church in Britt. They had previously dated after they had met in Sunday School at the Upper Flat Church. They were married for 56 years.

When Al returned from the service, they moved to Chicago. Arlene worked as receptionist for a clothing company while Al completed his photography training. It was here in Chicago that her daughter, Debbie, was born. The couple later moved to Oskaloosa where their son, Don, was born. Arlene was a home maker there until they moved to Forest City where the couple bought Elder's Studio and changed the name to the Allen Baker Studio. Allen and Arlene ran the studio for 10 years with Arlene working by Al’s side. Later she worked at many companies and offices in Forest City.

Al and Arlene built the house that they have lived in all these years. They would participate as a couple in square dancing and round dancing. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and would also attend their various activities. Arlene also enjoyed reading, gardening, and helping other people when they needed a helping hand.

Arlene is survived by her children: Debbie Baker and son-in-law, Jim Newhouse of Hudson and Don Baker of Oklahoma; grandchildren: Charles Scot Newhouse and fiancé Allison Williams, Stefanie Newhouse, Corwin Baker, Rebekah Baker, David Baker, and James Baker; and several great-grandchildren; sisters Wilma (Richard B.) Thompson of Forest City and Betty Lou (Thomas) Foster of Barstow, CA; sisters-in-law Dorothy Wooge of Indianhead, MD, Helen Wooge of Clarion, Anne Larson of Buffalo Center, Mary Baker of Waukee; brother-in-law Dean Nelson of Amherst, WI and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Allen Baker, brothers: Galen Wooge and LtCol LuVern Wooge, sister Darlene Nelson, brothers-in-law John Baker and Andy Larson, and her grandson, Steven Newhouse.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to the

Hope Lodge or the GARDEN PROJECT-YMCA.

Sandra J. Schulze American Cancer Society Hope Lodge

411 2nd Street NW

Rochester, MN 55901

GARDEN PROJECT

Family YMCA of Black Hawk County

669 South Hackett Road

Waterloo, IA 50701