Rhea Baker

Rhea Baker, 85, of the Osceola and Creston areas, died Thursday, December 2, 2021, at Crest Haven Care Centre in Creston. A Celebration of Life graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 6, 2021, at Carlisle Cemetery in Carlisle. Pastor John Van Horn will officiate.

Burial will be in Carlisle Cemetery. Memorials can be given to the family of Rhea Baker. Online condolences can be given at www.powers.com.

Rhea Louise Baker was born April 2, 1936, in Des Moines, to Leah Louisa (Payton) and John Thomas Cowling. Rhea graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School of Des Moines in 1953.

On October 24, 1953, Rhea was united in marriage to Milton Lyle “Buddy” Bishop, Jr. in Runnels. They settled in Germany while Buddy was in the military. After returning to the United States, Rhea attended the American Academy of Beauty, and after graduation she had her own beauty shop in her home in Des Moines. After Buddy died, she moved to Maynard, Arkansas, where she worked as an active mother and homemaker.

On April 27, 1971, Rhea was united in marriage to Carl James Baker. They made their home and worked in Maynard, Arkansas. After Carl died, Rhea moved to Woodburn. She later moved to Osceola where she began working as a production worker for Iowa Auto Assembly. Rhea moved to Creston in 2014.

Rhea is survived by a daughter, Dianna Burg of Creston; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bert (wife Cecelia) Cowling of Rockford, Ill. and Russell Cowling of Orient; a sister, Sue Harrison of Ackworth.

Rhea is preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Buddy Bishop and Carl Baker; sisters, Rose Webb and Mary Jane Cowling; brothers John, Joe, and Marion Cowling and daughter Linda Patton.