Obituary of Ruth Baker

Ruth E. (Duncan) DeSpain Baker was born June 3, 1921 the daughter of Edward and Alma (McCord) Duncan in Denison, Iowa. Ruth left us in peace at her home on Little Emerson Bay to join her husbands and children Ed, Tom, and Ann on Wednesday, September 9, 2009. Ruth was born on a farm in Paradise Township west of Denison, Iowa. The family moved to Denison where she attended Denison High School and graduated in 1938. She attended Park College in Tarkio, MO. In 1940 she married Lloyd DeSpain in Kansas City, MO. They moved to Milford, IA in the early 40's and raised three children. They started the DeSpain Portrait Studio where Ruth was a photographer and businesswoman. After Lloyd's passing she continued to run the photography business and later married Bruce Baker. Ruth enjoyed the arts, reading books, politics, presidential history and gathering with friends, relatives and acquaintances. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Lloyd DeSpain and Bruce Baker; children, Edward DeSpain, Thomas DeSpain and Daphne Ann Mizell; and brothers, David Duncan and Edward P. Duncan. Survivors include her sisters in law, Ruby Duncan and Marjorie Duncan; nephews and nieces, David Duncan, Chuck Duncan, Barbara Lueck, Keith Duncan, Robert Duncan, John Duncan, Diane VanLuven and their spouses. Survivors also include her son in law, Denny Mizell and his wife, Gail and seven adopted grandchildren.