Howard Baker, husband of Burdick resident and former U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum, passed away June 26 in his hometown of Huntsville, Tennessee after complications from a stroke.

Baker was born in Huntsville to Dora Ann and Howard Baker Sr., who was a U.S. Representative.

He served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946.

Baker was a long time senator and served two terms as Senate Majority Leader from 1981 to 1985. He was Chief of staff for Ronald Reagan from 1987 to 1988. He married Kassebaum in 1996.

Services were Tuesday in his hometown.