fan, hand
Catalog Number
2021.20.9a-cDescription
Hand fan, with box and lid, Japanese. Made of wood with pink, fabric tassel attached.History
The donor received this hand fan as a gift from her Aunt Alma and Uncle Harry Baker. Both Alma and Harry were in the military, stationed in Japan.Alma H. Plakke (1911-1997) was born in Holland, MI on 11-18-1911 to Cornelius Plakke (1886-1988) and Lena Brandt(1887-1989). They lived in Holland at 229 Howard Ave.
Alma enlisted in the US Navy on Nov. 7, 1942. She attended the Naval Reserve Midshipman School in Massachusetts in 1943. In 1949 Alma was assigned the position of secretariat of aviation personnel division in Washington, DC. In 1952 she was assigned the position of assistant to the military personnel officer at the Jacksonville, FL Naval Air Tech. Training Center.
Alma married Harry Baker (1912-1984) on 10-14-1954 in Japan. Sometime in the 1960s, Alma moved home to Holland, MI, where both her and Harry resided the remainder of their lives.
Alma served in the US Navy from 1942-1964. Harry served in the US Navy from 1929-1956. Both served in WW2 and the Korean War. Both were buried in the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Kalamazoo County, MI.