Freida Baker

Freida Ottilia Baker, 89, passed away Monday, November 4 in Hobbs, N.M. She was born at home in Harrisburg, Colorado April 27, 1930. At 5 years old, she lived in her grand-parents sod house in Cope, Colorado to attend first grade at a country school. She boarded in Akron, Colorado at l5 years old to attend high school, graduating in 1948.

Freida met her future husband, Bob, at a basketball game in high school. They were married soon after she graduated from Akron High School.

Freida was a homemaker for most of her life, then worked in the Hobbs Municipal Schools as a Cafeteria/Snack Bar worker for 22 years. She and her co-workers often cleaned and repaired used coats to donate to kids coming through the snack bar.

She was an important part in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Education was extremely important to her and she often helped with spelling and vocabulary words, reading and math throughout her life. An exceptional seamstress, Freida made most of the clothes her children wore. After retirement, she joined the quilting group at Hobbs Senior Center and made beautiful, hand-made quilts. Nana always made sure all her grandchildren had a supply of her famous Christmas sugar cookies each year.

Freida was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lee Baker; her parents, Frank and Sophie Cherry; one infant daughter, Cherry Ann; one daughter-in-law, Patty Baker and one grandson, Chris Baker.

Freida is survived by her 6 children: John, Keller Texas; Jim, Farmington NM; Kristi Squires (David), Carlsbad, NM; Kathi Bearden (Darrell), Hobbs, NM; Kim Dewbre (Vance) Clovis, NM; Kandi Dickinson (Lowell), Albuquerque, NM.  She is also survived by her step-daughter, Lee Wood of Alamogordo.

She is also survived by  18 grand-children: John Baker (Christina), Jim Baker (Cameron), Amanda Baker, Robert Baker (Ruth), Russell Baker (Amanda), Rory Baker (Sonja), Megan  Minix (Ryan), Jared Baker, Susan Flowers (Russell), Darrell Ball (Cheyenne), Kenneth Norris, Jeremiah Norris (Bertha), Orrin Dewbre (Valerie), Becca Dewbre (Tyler), Katie Dickinson, Chuck Wood, Lisa Fritz and Tim Wood.

She is also survived by 25 great-grandchildren: Emily & Madeline Baker, Jack & Grey Baker, Jake Baker, James & Josh & Ray Baker, Lucas & Jessie Baker, Aaron Baker & Abigail Baker, Douglas & Carson Minix, Austin & Colby VanCleve, Atley & Gretchen & Mason Ball, Kenny & Zachary Norris, Annaeise & Jeremiah & Kylie Norris and Sebastian Dickinson.

The family would like to thank Good Life Memory Center and Kindred Hospice for their love and exceptional care of our mom.