Nancy Joan Inge Baker

Nancy Joan Inge Baker, 86, a native of La Junta, Colorado died on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at Sky Ridge Medical Center near Denver, Colorado.

Nancy is well known to many for her humor, independence, love and perseverance. Her most precious endeavor was being a mother to her seven children and then a grandmother of many grandchildren. She worked diligently to support the interests of all children in the community through her efforts and family participation in La Junta Public Schools, Koshare Indian Museum, Picketwire Players, La Junta Children’s Theater, Boggesville Players, Tiger Sharks, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Explorer Scouts. Nancy’s children served in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard.

She followed in her parents’ footsteps to support her hometown in any way possible. She was a member of Marian Coterie (the auxiliary for Our Lady of Guadalupe/St.Patrick’s Catholic Church), Gloria Bells, and PEO – Chapter GM. Through the decades, she continued to support the Koshare Museum and Picketwire Center for the Performing and Visual Arts as well as other organizations that helped La Junta remain vibrant and culturally relevant.

Nancy is the daughter of La Junta merchant Reuben V. and Elizabeth (Betty) Guthrie Inge owners of Inge’s Shoes and La Junta Dry Goods. She is the sister of Sally Inge Buikema. Nancy attended La Junta Public Schools, is a graduate of La Junta High School Class of 1952, recipient of the Boettcher Scholarship, and graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder where she earned a B.S. in Nursing 1956.

After graduating from the University of Colorado, Nancy worked as an R.N. at Denver General Medical Center and St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs. Nancy married Archaeologist and Anthropologist Galen R. Baker, December 30th, 1959 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in La Junta. Nancy and Galen lived in Tucson, Arizona while Galen was attending University of Arizona and where their first son Christopher was born in1961.

Nancy and Galen lived in Trinidad, Colorado where Galen was a Professor of Archaeology at Trinidad State Junior College and where their second son Michael was born in 1963. Nancy and Galen returned to La Junta, Colorado 1966 where Galen was a professor of Anthropology and Archaeology at Otero Junior College and she gave birth to five more children. In 1971 Nancy raised children while her husband was a doctoral student of Archaeology at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

In the 1970s and 80s, Nancy elegantly raised children in La Junta during a time when her husband received numerous surgeries, treatments, and therapies for cancer until his death in 1991. Over the course of these challenging years, Nancy continued working and remained active and engaged in the La Junta community.

In her career, Nancy worked as a Registered Nurse at the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center. During the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration of the United States, Nancy opened an Antiques and Soda Station at the Bent’s Fort School Store. Nancy was a School Nurse for La Junta Public Schools. She worked for the Veterans Administration at the Ft. Lyon VA Hospital, La Junta VA Center, and for the VA Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Nancy was a visiting nurse for the Crowley County Health Department. Most recently, Nancy served on the Board of the University of Colorado School of Nursing.

Nancy traveled to Europe on more than one occasion. She especially enjoyed researching her Mother’s Irish ancestry and history of the Guthrie Family of Rocky Ford, Colorado. Nancy’s knowledge about the history of La Junta, Colorado, the Arkansas Valley and the Purgatoire River area was unparalleled.

She was a close friend of Jane Burshears, wife of James Francis “Buck” Burshears. Nancy was compassionate and understanding of those who suffered loss or experienced hardships. She loved her Irish heritage, she had great devotion to Mary and her Catholic Faith. Nancy was always willing to share a story and infuse an activity with her good humor and wit.

Nancy is survived by her sister, Sally Inge Buikema and her daughters, Susan Buikema Miller and Scott Miller of Alexandria, VA, Dr. Katheryn Buikema and Nic Roueche of Denver, Colorado; son, Maj. Christopher Galen and Hyun Soo Baker, Retired U.S. Army, of Colorado Springs, CO, and their children Grant Kim Baker & Erin Elizabeth Baker; son, Michael Inge and Jill Baker of Castle Pines, CO and his children, Sarah Elizabeth Baker & Joshua Michael Baker; Susan Powell Perry (mother of Sarah and Joshua) of Oldsmar, Florida; son, David James Baker and Emily Stout of Santa Fe, NM and their child, Zadrian Wyeth Stout Baker; son, John Robert and Carey Baker of Parker, CO, and their children, Ashley Marcelle Baker, Samantha Jo Baker, Richard Gordon and Dr. Christy Baker of Baltimore, Maryland, Gianna Marie Baker, Lawrence Stephen Baker, Clara Louise Baker & James Anthony Baker; son, Stephen and Caressa Baker of Denver, CO; daughter, Jane Baker Mellen and John Mellen of Brighton, CO, and their children, Luke Stephen Perez, John Zachary Perez, Annabella Rose Perez & Isaac Jay Mellon; cousins, Col. Dick and Cynthia Guthrie of Pebble Beach, CA, Maj. Gen. John and Elaine Guthrie of Naples, FL, Jerry Ann (Sabin) and Alan Health of Lafayette, CO & Bob and Kathy (Orehood) Sabin of Roswell, NM.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be Friday, February 21, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. both services at Our Lady of Guadalupe/St. Patrick Parish with Father Victor Raj officiating. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in La Junta.

Those wishing to do so may make memorial contributions to the Koshare Foundation, PO Box 580, La Junta, CO 81050 direct or through the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.