It is with sorrow and gratitude that we mark the passing of Virginia Ann Baker of Des Moines, IA — sorrow at the loss, gratitude for the life.
What you read below is one part of a life lived with quiet purpose.
Virginia spent her working life as ['Northwestern Bell'] — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
A name is a small thing to hold a whole life.
Virginia Ann Baker, 88 passed away peacefully, after a brief illness on April 21st, 2026, at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.
Virginia was born October 20th, 1937, to Hugh & Harriet (O'Dell) Dighton in Cedar Rapids. She attended school in Hopkinton, Iowa and Coe College.
Virginia was united in marriage to William J. Baker on July 6th, 1957, in Dubuque, Iowa. They had two children; Cynthia Ann in 1959 and Daniel James in 1969. Virginia and Bill made their home in Dubuque, until Bill's sudden and unexpected passing in 1977, at the age of 47. Virgina then moved her young family to Ankeny, Iowa and worked for Northwestern Bell, which later became AT&T.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; Hugh & H. Geraldine Dighton; grandparents, Clifton & Mary Ann Dighton, George & Mary Ann O'Dell; grandson, Bradlee Baker, and multiple family members.
Left to cherish her memory are daughter, Cynthia Baker and her husband Jim; son, Daniel Baker and his wife Jennifer; great-granddaughter, Vaeda Williams, her mother Kailyn Williams, her faithful dog, Gus and a host of family & friends.
Services will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, Cedar Rapids, at 1:00pm. Burial will follow immediately after.
Cedar Memorial has been entrusted with the arrangements.
