Richard M. Baker

Atkinson — Richard Merl Baker, 83, of Atkinson, died Monday, March 11, 2024 in Atkinson.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, March 22, 2024 at Seger Funeral Home in Atkinson. A 7:30 prayer service will be held consisting of one decade of the rosary.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Atkinson. Fr. Ross Burkhalter will officiate. Music will be provided by soloist Bonnie Krysl and organist Deb Kaup.

Pallbearers will be Geroge Milbourn, Ryan Fix, Rod Fix, Rylan Olson, Braydon Olson and Trayton Olson.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Richard, son of Merl “Cannonball” and Doris (Omey) Baker was born on Sept. 23, 1940 in Atkinson. He attended grade school and some high school in Atkinson. 

He enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 5, 1958 where he received his GED.  

On Dec. 23, 1960 he married Johanna Wagner in Munich, Germany. Richard served more than 20 years in the Army, and was sent to Vietnam. He was honorably discharged on June 30, 1978. 

Richard returned to Nebraska and lived in the Omaha area. He was known for his great mechanical abilities. He worked for OPPD for a time and then worked as a mail sorter for the US Postal Service for more than 20 years. At the age of 65 he finally “retired” for good.  

Richard then helped to raise money for the 101st Airborne Division Association memorial now located at Memorial Park in Omaha. He also maintained membership in the 11th Airborne Division Association and the VFW.

Richard's hobbies included collecting coins and stamps, but he was especially interested in researching the family ancestry.

Richard is survived by his four daughters Mona (George) Milbourn of Atkinson, Jacki (Tyree) Wilde of Vancouver, WA, Angelique Gray of LaVista and Julie (Roger) Hedges of Portland, OR; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one sister Marian Lovitt of Lyman; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy his parents and a granddaughter Brittany Halterman.