Southwest Iowa community helps harvest 600 acres after Creston farmer's death

Community means something different in Creston, according to John Baker, a 63-year-old farmer born and raised in the Union County town of about 7,500 people.

When Baker's older brother, Paul Baker, died last week at the age of 66 — five days after being diagnosed with cancer — the Creston community did not wait long to step up and help. More than 100 farmers and other volunteers gathered Thursday and used 20 combines, 40 grain carts and 38 semi-trailers to help John Baker harvest the over 600 acres of corn spread across 5 plots of land he owned with his brother, according to family friend Chad Rieck.

Putting their own harvests on hold, the volunteer worked from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., enjoying coffee and donuts provided by the local John Deere dealership in the morning and sack lunches in the afternoon from the local Farm Bureau office, each of which contained handwritten notes from children at St. Malachy Catholic School in Creston.

More:Drought cuts some Iowa farmers' harvest; timely rains bring 'phenomenal yields' to others

Rieck said Thursday's harvest and the community support behind it was unlike anything he had ever seen before. It was an effort that Paul Baker would've joined in on, had circumstances been different.

"He is just the most caring, giving human in the world," Rieck said. "There was never anyone he wouldn't help."

Paul Baker was an active member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Creston and a dedicated family man, his brother said. He was known around his church community as the person who made everything work, and who would be there at a moment's notice if anyone or anything needed help, Rieck said. According to Rieck, he was the type of person that was so supportive, he could even make a crying baby feel calm.

"He just had that presence about him," Rieck said.

While John Baker admitted it was difficult to contain his emotions throughout the day, he said the harvest was completed without any major problems. At the end of the day, the group gathered together to celebrate a job well done and to honor Paul Baker's life and all he did for his community.

"He was an incredible man," John Baker said. "If I can do 25 percent of what he did, I'll be happy."

Paul Baker is survived by his wife, Lynn Baker, two daughters and two grandchildren.

Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at FBlock@registermedia.com or on Twitter at @francescablock3.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Creston community honors late farmer through completing his harvest