Mark Philip Baker, 61 of Huxley passed away Sunday, May 19, 2024, at his home in Huxley following complications of Diabetes.

Mark was born July 18, 1962, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Norman Herbert and Linda Lee (Romp) Baker. He graduated from Ballard High School in 1980 and from UNI with a degree in communications in 1986. While attending UNI, Mark was in the fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon. On September 13, 1986, Mark was united in marriage to Gina Colleen Lenz in Pomeroy, Iowa. To this union, three children were born, Grant, Sarah, and Weston. Mark spent his life in sales first working for Specialty Food Products then Boyer Petroleum Products. He also owned and operated Keystone Storage.

Mark loved the community of Huxley and was always looking for ways to improve it. He planted hundreds of trees and instilled the value of planting in his children. He served on the Huxley City Council, Parks and Rec and Planning and Zoning. Mark was one of the founding members of the Huxley Jaycees and was very involved in starting Prairie Fest. He also helped at many fish frys at the Cambridge American Legion and was proud to be able to be a blood donor. Mark had gone on mission trips to Haiti, which led him and Gina to host two exchange students.

Mark loved sports - in high school he was a state champion wrestler and went on to wrestle in college. He coached little league baseball, youth wrestling and soccer for many years.

In his free time, Mark enjoyed playing poker with his friends and spending time in the yard landscaping for himself or for others. For many years, Mark and Gina owned a home in Fraser, Colorado where friends and family would visit and be able to enjoy skiing and hiking. Wherever he was, he usually had a Diet Mt. Dew in his hands.

Mark is survived by his wife Gina of Huxley; his children Grant (Maggie) Baker of Richmond, IA, Sarah Baker (Simon Goheen) of Cumming, IA and Weston (Cassy Pina-Baker) of Bloomington, IL; his mother Linda Baker of Ames; his grandchildren Azariah, Levi, and Audrianna Baker and Rori and Paris Goheen; his sister Torie (Randy) Hefel of Maricopa, AZ; his niece Rachel Hefel (Dr. Michael Ries) of Appleton, WI; his good friend (that was like a brother to him), Rory Echer; along with many other relatives and friends.

Mark was preceded in death by his father Norman Baker.

Donations in Mark's memory may be made to the Ballard Athletic Boosters (wrestling and soccer) or to Huxley Parks and Rec.

A visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home (1418 Fawcett Pkwy) in Nevada. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, May 24, 2024, also at the funeral home. Inurnment will follow at Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.