Maria Baker

Maria Baker, loving wife of the late Raymond Herbert Baker, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 21, 2022, at the age of 101. Maria was born in Walzen, Germany on September 4, 1921, to Viktoria Kern and Paul Kowollik. She met and married her husband in Pfungstadt, Germany where he was stationed with the United States Army, at the end of the second World War. She followed her husband to the United States, arriving in New York on New Years Eve of 1952, after a two week sea voyage that left her stranded for several days after their ship ran aground off the coast of England. As a military family, they lived many places in the United States including Puerto Rico.

After Raymond's retirement from the military, they settled in Aurora, Colorado, where they raised their three children and lived for almost 60 years. Maria was an active volunteer for more than 40 years with the American Red Cross. Maria loved to sing and was a member of her church choir for decades before COVID occurred. She was a feisty, independent woman who showed remarkable courage. Her loving nature and spunk was an inspiration to all who knew her and she was loved dearly by her family and friends and caregivers. Maria was a treasure trove of history and had incredible stories of her life in Europe before, during and after the war. Her favorite moments were spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who absolutely adored her. Even after 100 years, she was game for adventure, whether it was shopping with her granddaughters, or trips to the ranch checking fence line and livestock with her son, Matt.

Maria is survived by her brother, Wilhelm Kowollik (Anneliese), of Manneheim, Germany, her two sons, Matt Baker, (Roxann), of Laporte, CO, and Steven Baker of Billings, MT. She was predeceased by her brother, Paul Kowollik, (Germany) and her daughter, Rosaline Pierce, (Texas). Maria is also survived by four grandchildren, Jennifer, (Luxembourg), Alexandra (Fort Collins, CO), Morgan, (Las Vegas, NV), Madison (Laporte, CO) and 2 great grandchildren.

She will be interred with her husband, Raymond, at Fort Logan National Military Cemetery. Donations in her memory can be made to the American Red Cross.