Obituary of Neva M. Rettig Baker

Neva M. Rettig Baker, 57, of Muscatine, passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2019, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics.  Memorial services will be on Saturday, August 17, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church.  Inurnment will be in Muscatine Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date.  Visitation will be held on Friday, August 16, 2019, from 3:00 – 7:00 P.M. with a 7:00 P.M. time of sharing memories at the Geo. M. Wittich-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa Public Radio, Muscatine’s Running River Bike and Pedestrian Trail System or Wesley United Methodist Church.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com. 

Neva was born on December 23, 1961, in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Vernon E. and Sarah M. (Tuffin) Rettig.  On August 9, 1986, Neva was united in marriage to Thomas R. Baker in Ankeny, Iowa.  Neva graduated Law School from the University of Iowa in 1987.  She served as the director of Muscatine Legal Services which led to the start of her private law practice, Baker Law Office.  Neva had served as County Magistrate since 1997.  Neva was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Kiwanis, AAUW and Civic Chorale.  She enjoyed gardening, biking, singing, reading, theatre, baking and cooking.  Neva will be remembered by her family as a master pie smith.

Neva will be deeply missed by her husband, Thomas of Muscatine; son, Samuel Glenn Baker and fiancé Nanxi Xu of Columbia, Missouri; daughter, Diana (Matt) Doore of Houston, Texas; father, Vernon Rettig of Bondurant, Iowa; brothers, Rex Rettig of Bondurant, Iowa; Mark (Susan) Rettig of Peoria, Illinois and sister, Ellen (Nobu) Rettig-Miki of Kobe, Japan.  

Neva was preceded in death by her mother.