Mary Lynn Baker

Mary Lynn was born in Creston on June 10, 1955, the third child of Harry Melvin and Patty Jane (Harvey) Schlapia. She was educated in Creston and graduated from Creston High School with the Class of 1973. Following graduation, Mary Lynn attended AIB in Des Moines and graduated with an Associate degree in Accounting. She remained in Des Moines working for Graham Equipment until returning to Creston to marry her high school sweetheart, James Edmund Baker. The couple was married at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Creston on November 26, 1977 and lived on a farm located south of Creston. Two children were born to bless this union: Renea and Jeff.
Mary Lynn worked several years for Kmart in Creston until it closed. She then worked as a cook for St. Malachy School for 15 years. Mary Lynn worked hard on the farm as both a homemaker and farm wife. She was a life-long member of both St. Malachy and Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Family members who preceded Mary Lynn in death were her parents; brother, Mike Schlapia; sister, Chris Burlingame; and her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Dorothy Ellen Baker and Edmund Baker.
Mary Lynn is survived by her husband, Jim Baker of Creston; her daughter, Renea Burg (fiance’ Jason Cochran) of Des Moines, IA; her son, Jeff (wife Mandy) Baker of Urbandale, IA; her 9 year old granddaughter, Abigail Burg; and a grandchild on the way. She is also survived by 2 brothers: Pat and John Schlapia, both of Creston; 2 sisters: Dorothy Davenport of Des Moines, IA and Susie (husband Steve) Biley of Grimes, IA; a brother-in-law, Rob Burlingame of Des Moines, IA; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many friends.