Obituary of Phyllis Zel Baker

Phyllis Baker, age 84, a resident of Colorado Springs since 1957 passed away on April 11, 2015 at the Pikes Peak Hospice Residence. She was a Registered Nurse, a loving wife, mother, homemaker, grandmother and friend.Phyllis Zel Kring was born on November 9, 1930 in Salina, Kansas to the late Albert and Zella (Hanly) Kring, Kansas homesteaders. After the death of both her parents at a young age, she lived with extended family in Salina, Kansas, where she attended school and met the love of her life, Billy Dean Baker.She graduated from high school in 1948 and married Billy on September 16, 1951 at the First Presbyterian Church in Salina. She attended nursing school at Lutheran Hospital in Hutchinson, Kansas.Phyllis and Billy moved from Salina to Lincoln where she completed her psychiatric nurse's training while Billy went to Architecture School at the University of Kansas and the University of Nebraska. He was drafted in the Army and the couple were stationed in Austria for two years as well. They settled in Colorado Springs in 1957 in Upper Skyway, overlooking Bear Creek Park for over 50 years. In 1995, she became a massage therapist and had a successful and thriving practice in Colorado Springs.Phyllis was an avid tennis player and played competitively at the Country Club of Colorado and the Garden of the Gods Club. She was a Girl Scout leader, member of the Skyway Garden Club, as well as the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum. Because of her great love of animals, she became a docent at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for over forty years, as well as donated generously to the Colorado Springs Humane Society. Phyllis was often seen walking her beloved dogs in Bear Creek Park. She loved to travel, sew and was Billy's co-pilot in their private plane for 50 years.She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Jacquelyn Brensinger.Phyllis is survived by her husband, Billy of Colorado Springs; her daughters, Jennifer (Eduardo) Guendelman of Toronto, Canada, Dianna Lawson (Jim Duran) of Gallatin Gateway, Montana and Denise (Jim) Schump of Berthoud, Colorado; three grandsons: James, Billy and Justin; and one great-grandson, Noah Dean Turcotte. Private family services are planned.In lieu of flowers, Phyllis would appreciate memorial donations in her name be made to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo or Shriners Hospitals for Children. The family would like to extend their gratitude to her caregivers, Claire and Carol, and the caring staff, nurses and doctors of Penrose Hospital and Pikes Peak Hospice.She will be dearly missed.A Message From HeavenI have not left you. I am simply enjoyingthe next stage of my life. So please, do not cry.Rejoice in the fact that I am happy, rememberthat I will always LOVE you and SMILEbecause one day we shall meet again.Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Service Monday, April 13, 2015 12:00AM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855