Saying good-bye in COVID-19 era

 Carol Baker and youngest great-granddaughter, Myla, in 2019

 Scenes from the funeral: Oakdale Cemetery Baker family gravesite

 Scenes from the funeral: A tribute poster.

Carol Baker's youngest great-granddaughter, Myla.

We thought we had a little more time to say good-bye to the Baker family matriarch, Carol Joan Baker, but no. She passed away last Saturday afternoon.

Her children, Steve Baker and Cindy Hayes, were with their mom, right to the end. She died of complications from Alzheimer's disease, which she and her husband of 64 years, Don, contracted some time ago. Don died on Jan. 24, 2014, when the Iowa winter was at its worst. Carol left us May 9 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the difficulties of losing loved ones these days are documented nation-wide, our family experienced a whole lot of compassion from all involved. The staff at the nursing home in West Liberty let Steve and Cindy visit their mother, for one thing. They were asked to wash hands, had their temperatures taken, and so forth. They also laundered clothing and took showers on returning home.

The Bakers are from Wilton, Iowa, and our family was possibly the first in the last few months to have all family members allowed into the funeral home. Chairs were set apart, and we all talked and watched her video, standing apart. Masks were not worn for the most part.

The ceremony went quite well. Pastor Kerry Jennings from Newcomb Presbyterian Church, Davenport, stepped in for his wife, Jennifer, who serves the church in Wilton. She was ill.

The family members numbered about 30 folks, all of whom knew Grandma from the many times she hosted holiday events, attended kids' activities or showed her love in so many ways. She was a very supportive mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and mother-in-law.

Pastor Jennings was kind and adept, weaving family memories with scripture. A highlight of the service came from Henry Bentley, funeral home director, who sang Carol's favorite hymn ("Just A Closer Walk with Thee") and played guitar.

Burial was next to her husband, Don, at Oakdale Cemetery, Wilton.

The day was sunny but chilly; the entire ceremony would have taken place outdoors if that had been feasible.

A line of cars followed the hearse carrying a beautiful pink casket. Both Don and Carol had completely planned their funerals some 16 years ago. It was not hard for survivors to carry out their wishes, even in these challenging times.