Martha Rose Tharman Baker passed away January 3, 2022. She was born January 2, 1937, to Arthur and Elizabeth (Staudenmaier) Tharman on the farm near Wathena KS. The family later moved to a farm near Atchison, where the family grew and thrived.
Marti was always so full of life and brought joy to everyone. As a teenager the parish priest would take a big carload of young people to CYO dances in the area. Dancing became one of her greatest pleasures. She never passed up a chance to dance the jitterbug to whatever music was available. She graduated from Oak Grove Country School and then Mount St. Scholastica Academy in Atchison in 1955. She began working at the telephone company in St. Joseph Missouri. Her bright cheerful well-spoken voice was so suited to the job that they often used her for their recorded messages.
She was married to Ralph Baker, Jr. They lived in several places in Wyoming, Missouri, Michigan, Indiana, and finally Florida as Ralph was transferred with his job. She worked assorted jobs as they raised their family.
She is survived by her three children, Michelle (Kurt) Dismukes, SC, Michael Baker, Ludell, KS, and Matthew Baker, Plant City, Florida, grandchildren and great grandchildren, survivors also include sisters Gertrude Eddy, Fort Worth, Texas; Ada Arford, Norton KS, Pauline Stockham, Roeland Park, KS, Florence Tharman, Valarie, New York. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Sharon Kay, and her brother Carl Edward Tharman died September 12, 2024.
Her health gave her many struggles but her steadfast faith in God gave her courage, and she never lost her lovely smile.
Graveside services will be Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Atchison, Kansas, with Fr. Luke Turner, officiating.