Obituary of Laurel Jean Baker

Laurel Jean Hicks Baker passed away Monday, September 19, 2011, at age 86. She was a resident of The Bridge Assisted Living in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Laurel was born in Bay City, Michigan on March 2, 1925 to Jay and Edith Hicks. She graduated with a BA in music from Albion College in Michigan, and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and the Kappa Delta Sorority. She married Robert Wescott Baker in Jackson, Michigan, on January 31, 1948. They enjoyed 50 years of adventures together throughout his career in the Air Force.Laurel loved playing the piano and served as a church organist in Orlando, Florida, Anchorage, Alaska, and several churches in Colorado Springs, including the Community Center Chapel on the Air Force Academy, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Gateway Presbyterian Church and First United Methodist Chapel. She volunteered as a docent at the Fine Arts Center and supported the Colorado Springs Symphony. She enjoyed being a member of the waltz club and her bridge club.Laurel is survived by her son, Robert Wescott Baker, Jr. and his wife, Leesa of Colorado Springs; son, Steven Andrew Baker and his wife, Pearl of Ventura, California; daughter, Andrea Leigh Minton and her husband, John of Decatur, Georgia and her cousin, Doris LeVasseur of Bay City, Michigan. She has 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband, Dr. Robert Wescott Baker, Sr., 1998; son, James Martin Baker, 2011 and brother, Maynard Culver Hicks, 1941.A Memorial Service for Laurel Jean Hicks Baker will be held at the First United Methodist Chapel, 420 North Nevada Avenue at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 3, 2011. A reception will follow immediately after the service in the church's Hospitality Room. Her cremated remains will be placed beside her husband in the columbarium at the First United Methodist Church on Nevada Ave.Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Service Monday, October 3, 2011 11:00AM First United Methodist Church 420 North Nevada Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Phone: 719-884-2500