Mary Esther Peck

Mary Esther Peck was a bit of a brick wall for me until I found her obit. Hints on ancestry had various death dates for her with nothing making sense given that her husband and daughter were living with her sister Lucy in 1910.

Turns out she was suffering from tuberculosis and died in 1914.

Odebolt Chronicle, Thurs, 10 Sep 1914

Death of Mrs Allan Baker

Friday the remains of Mrs Allan Baker of Milford were brought to Odebolt for burial in the local cemetery. Her death occurred Thursday, September 3 at 7:40 pm and was due to tuberculosis. Funeral services were held from the home of her sisters, Mrs Edw Wilkinson, at 2:30 Saturday afternoon, conducted by the Rev M P Arrasmith of the Methodist church. The pall bearers were Messrs Tw Down, A P Cranston, L T Quirk, Chas Smith, J E Einspahr and Chas Kistler. Those who gathered to pay the last respects were the relatives and a company of old friends and neighbors with whom she lived in this community before her removal some years before her death. Mary Esther Peck was the daughter of Mr and Mrs S E Peck, pioneer residents of this community. She was born in Monmouth, Jackson County, this state, July 22, 1871. She came with her parents to Sac County in 1874 and grew to womanhood on the old homestead near Odebolt. November 16, 1892, she was united marriage with Allan Baker. For five years after their marriage, they resided in the Bethel neighborhood, moving in 1897 to the vicinity of Schaller. They resided there until the year 1906 when they moved to Milford which has since been the family home. Some nineteen years ago she affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and her associates testify that she led a true Christian life. During her later years she was a great sufferer with disease, but she bore her affliction with fortitude and was a loving helpmate and mother. Death came to her in her forty-third year, and was a welcome release from suffering. She is survived by the husband and by the five-year-old daughter, Edythe. Also by the aged father, stepmother and one brother and three sisters. The parents live in Odebolt. The brother and sisters are as follows: E D Peck and Mrs Edw Wilkinson of Odebolt, Mrs Kate Ellinger of Estherville and Mrs J F Ady of Schaller. All of the family were present at the funeral. Mr and Mrs A H Widel of Palmer, an aunt and uncle, were also present. The friends extend tender sympathy.

courtesy of Dorothy@OKOBOJI - Find A Grave

Unknown Paper, Oct 1942
Allen Baker Died At Arnolds Park Monday
Allen Baker, 74, of Arnolds Park, who had been in poor health for the past twelve years and had been seriously ill at his home with diabetes for the past two weeks, passed away at his home Monday morning, October 26, at 9:45 am. Funeral services were held on Wednesday afternoon at the Methodist Church conducted by Rev C K Hudson. Burial was made at Okoboji Cemetery at Arnolds Park. Allen Baker, son of James D and Margaret Baker, was born on October 12, 1868, at Circleville, Ohio, and passed away October 26, 1942, at the age of 74 years and 14 days. At the age of three years, he came with his family to Washington County, Iowa, and then moved to Odebolt where he grew to manhood. He came to Dickinson County in 1907, which had been his home ever since. The family moved to Arnolds Park nine years ago. He was married to Edna L Griswold, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Mrs Edith Wilson of Arnolds Park and Miss Virginia Baker of Arnolds Park, and one grandson, John Wilson. Two brothers and two sisters also survive, Ross Baker and Warren Baker, Mrs Myrtle Schmidt and Mrs Frank Torode, all of Des Moines, and also several nieces and nephews. Mr Baker was baptized in the Methodist church as a child and was a lifelong member of the church.