Diana Lee Baker
Of
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Was born November 9, 1941 in Hardin, MT to Guy Oscar and Clare Lizetta (Canning) Rorabaugh. She passed away April 15th in Colorado Springs at the age of 74.
After graduating from Palmer High School, she went to Colorado State University to earn her degree in Art. She met Charles Mark Baker while in college and they were later married December 29, 1962. He entered the Navy and together, they went to Newport, RI where their first child, Allison, was born. They moved several times during his service, living in Florida, Minnesota and Hawaii before his discharge from the Navy. They moved to Colorado Springs in 1970 where their son, Charles, was born. They later moved to Ft. Collins, CO where they purchased a flower shop and green houses. Diana went to Cliff Mann School of Floral Design in Denver where she earned her Master Florist. She managed the flower and gift part of the business until their divorce in the mid ‘70’s. She moved back to Colorado Springs and went to work for Mall of the Bluffs Flowers. She competed in several state floral competitions, earning top awards. Her health began to decline and she eventually had to retire.
Diana loved music, and learned to play classical guitar quite well. She loved to draw and paint, as well as add her creative ideas to projects for other people. She had a gift for growing anything. After she was unable to work, she helped her niece’s family by taking care of the kids and household while they worked. Diana was like a grandmother to them after her sister, their own grandmother, passed away. She was proud of her own children and grandchildren’s accomplishments, especially when Charles graduated from college with his degree in Accounting and her grandson, Sean, graduated as Valedictorian of his class. But she was equally proud of all her family.
Diana was a kind-hearted Christian, and attended 1st Congregational Church until her health became too much of an obstacle for her to go to church. However, she maintained her faithfulness throughout her life.
Diana is survived by one son, Charles G. Baker of Colorado Springs, Colorado; one daughter, Allison (Rob) Crews of Apache, Oklahoma; two grandsons: Sean Crews of Chicago, Illinois and Jason (Fiancee, Ashton Nagle) Crews of Elk City, Oklahoma; two (soon to be) great-grandchildren: Karson and Kinadee Nagle of Elk City, Oklahoma; one brother, Tom (Nancy) Rorabaugh of Casper, Wyoming; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by both parents, and sister and brother-in-law, Rosemary and Walter Burkett.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 23rd at 2:00 P.M. at the 1st Congregational Church in Colorado Springs. Private Inurnment will be at Shrine of Remembrance ‘Garden of Tranquility’ Columbarium.