Margaret Baker

Margaret (Margo) Jane (Briggs) Baker passed away on April 1, 2009, at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, MO. She was born on September 6, 1920 in Lamoni, IA to George N. and Grace Kelley Briggs. She graduated from Lamoni High School in 1937. She received her Associates Degree from Graceland College in 1939. In 1941, she received her Bachelors Degree in Education from Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa).
During her time at Graceland, she met the love of her life, Ben Baker. They attended Graceland together and were married on June 12, 1942. Margo started teaching at Anthon, Iowa, but left mid-year of her second year of teaching to go to live where Ben was stationed while serving in the Army. When Ben was shipped overseas, she returned to stay with her parents in Lamoni. Their daughter, Judy, was born while Ben was stationed overseas in 1944.
Ben returned from the Army after World War II, finished college at Drake University, and became the band director at Stuart, Iowa until 1952 when he became band director in Indianola, Iowa. Daughter Karen was born in 1949 and daughter Mary Beth in 1954. In 1959, Ben was offered a position as Band Director at a brand new high school in Montclair, California, moving the family there. He served at Montclair High School for 18 years until felled by a cardiac arrest in 1976. The football stadium at Montclair High School was named in his honor in 1977. Margo moved back to Lamoni where Ben was a patient at Lamoni Manor until his death in 1986.
Margo was so proud of Graceland and the fact that her father, G.N. Briggs had been the President of Graceland for 29 years, a longevity record which still stands. Her home is right across from Founders Lake and she loved her view of the campus, and looked out her picture window every day at the flag flying atop the administration building. Briggs Hall stands as a legacy to her family. She proudly saw her daughters and many grandchildren graduate from Graceland and go into the field of education.
She loved listening to music and poetry, watching videos, and reading. She enjoyed handwork such as embroidery and crocheting. She was an expert seamstress, making and repairing clothing. The family sang together and spent many happy hours enjoying music. She clipped articles and had many scrapbooks and photo albums with memories of her life and family. She enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, and volunteered at the Lamoni Service Center, and reading with children at the Lamoni Elementary School. She loved flowers, particularly, her African violets.
A life-long member of the RLDS, now Community of Christ, Church, she was devout in her faith and read devotions on a daily basis, rarely missing church on Sundays.
She was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband, Ben, on Feb. 13, 1986; by four sisters Beth Bailey Wheeler, Ruth Walton, Dorothy Sandage, and Mary Gerdes; and by three brothers, George N. Briggs, Jr., Phillip Briggs, and Roland Briggs.
She is survived by three daughters, Judy (Rich)Harrop of Lamoni, Karen (Larry)Sebby of Blue Springs, MO, and Mary Beth (Larry) Conrad of Polk City, IA; seven grandchildren, Kirk (Tracy) Harrop of Harrisonville, MO, Billy (Niki) Dudek of Peculiar, MO, Krista (Mark) Schilb of Keota, IA, Cari (Brad) Teter of Independence, MO, Casey (Annie) Dudek of Independence, MO, Ben (Grace) Conrad of Overland Park, KS, and David Conrad of Polk City, IA.; and by 14 great-grandchildren: Brody and Riley Harrop; Erin, Reid, and Macy Schilb; Jaren, Drew and Payton Dudek; Camryn and Caden Rhamy; Major and Kaicen Dudek; Colin and Catelynn Conrad. She is also survived by two sisters in law, Lois (George, Jr.) Briggs of North Carolina, and Addie (Roland) Briggs of Independence, MO; and by many nieces, nephews, one step grandson, and four step great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service for Margaret (Margo) Baker will be held on Wednesday, April 8 at 11 A.M. at the Lamoni Community of Christ Church in Lamoni, Iowa with Les Gardner officiating. Cremation rites have been accorded and burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Lamoni immediately following the Memorial Service. Memorials may be directed to the Music Department at Graceland University, 1 University Place, Lamoni, IA 50140 or to the Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64145.