Ursula (Schmidt) Baker

Ursula Margarete Baker, 83, passed away on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, in Nacogdoches, Texas. Ursula was born on May 25, 1941, in Knakendorf, Germany, the daughter of Franz and Maria (Garske) Schmidt.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am on Monday, August 12, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Sunday, August 11 at Laird Funeral Home with a Rosary beginning at 6:00pm.

Ursula, or Omi as she was known by many, grew up in Gransdorf, Germany.  She worked at Spangdahlem Air Force Base where she met the love of her life, Jim Baker.  They were married on June 12, 1962.  They spent 54 wonderful years together and raised their two children, of whom they were especially proud.  Omi and Jim relocated to Wichita, Kansas in 1965 where they were stationed at McConnell Air Force Base. Omi was very proud of becoming a United States Citizen in 1974.  Omi loved to fish, travel and loved teaching her grandchildren about nature.  Omi entertained her family who came to visit by taking many road trips in her RV.  From Niagara Falls, Disneyland, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and everywhere in between. In 1990, Omi and Jim began their life in Nacogdoches.  Omi worked and volunteered at Lehmann Eye Center for over 20 years.  She welcomed everyone with open arms, amusing conversation, the world’s best deviled eggs, and a cold beverage. Omi was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nacogdoches.

Ursula is survived by her daughter, Judi Meadows; son, William “Bill” Baker & wife, Tiffany; grandchildren, Keyan Franklin & wife, Vivian, Gage Meadows, Chelsea Kirby & husband Cody, Alex Franklin & wife Christina, Zachary Baker & wife Alisia, Taylor Baker & wife Celeste, Austin Baker and Kennedy Kokal; great grandchildren Dalton Kirby, Dani Kirby and Aubrey Baker; brother, Joachim Schmidt, sisters Anneliese Matschulies and Dorothea Zimmer; brother-in-law Johann Kremer and sister-in-law Alisia Schmidt.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Baker; parents Franz & Maria Schmidt; siblings Werner Schmidt, Alois Schmidt, Bernhard Schmidt, Gertrud “Trudchen” Kremer; brothers-in-law Horst Matschulies, Eduard Zimmer; sisters-in-law Marlena Schmidt and Franzsiska Schmidt.
 

Serving as pallbearers will be Alex Franklin, Austin Baker, Taylor Baker, Zachary Baker, Gage Meadows and Cody Kirby
 

Donations may be made in Mrs. Baker's memory, to Crossroads Ranch, A Community for Special Needs Adults, 716 Airport Road, Fulton, MS 38843 or www.xroadsranch.org

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