Betty Carl Baker

Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 1 pm at St Luke’s Episcopal Church, 3424 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311. Inurnment of ashes will be held at Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

Betty Carl (Fortune) Baker was born on January 12, 1937 in Lubbock, Texas to Clyde and Ruth (Alumbaugh) Fortune. She graduated from high school in Colorado City, Texas and then attended Texas Tech University. Betty was united in marriage to Willard Keith Baker on September 22, 1956 at Webb Air Force Base Chapel in Big Springs, Texas. There were three children to this union, Linda, Kevin and Kenneth. She was an artist and a homemaker for her family.

Tooter was avid supporter of the arts. She enjoyed her book club and gardening in her free time. Tooter joined the Texas Tech University/Gamma Phi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity in 1955 and took Theta for a Lifetime to heart. Since 2000, Tooter was beloved by Theta sisters, hosting and attending Founders Days, and alumnae Theta garden and book clubs, meetings and events.

Tooter held many prominent offices at the State and National Level of the American Legion Auxiliary. They were: 9th District President 1979-1980; Department of Iowa President 1992-1993; National Historian 1996-1997; Life Member of the Dept. of Iowa DEC 1997-1998 to present, and Iowa Girls State Staff member for 35 years.

Betty is survived by her three children, Linda (Jeff) Wiley of Minneapolis, MN, Kevin (Lisa) Baker of Ankeny and Kenneth (Sarah) Baker of Menlo Park, CA; five grandchildren, Barac Wiley, Nick, Chad and Trevor Baker and Bartholomew Baker, and seven great grandchildren, Maya, Allison, Henry, Norah, Caroline, Malekai and Tristen. She is preceded in death by her husband, Keith Baker, her parents, and siblings Jackie and Phil.

In Tooter’s memory a scholarship fund has been established to give out a scholarship at Iowa Girls State in her name. Donations may be made out to: American Legion Auxiliary or ALA and in the memo line please put Tooter Baker Scholarship. Please send to American Legion Auxiliary, 720 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309 - Attention Baker Scholarship.