Linda Kunze Baker

She was loving and caring lady, a special lady. She could make you laugh so hard and everyone loved being around her. Linda worked 36 years for Anadarko and made many lasting friendships. Linda loved people but she could be just as happy sitting alone with a good book. Linda was a faithful Christian belonging to Harvest Church at Woodlands Methodist in The Woodlands, Texas. Linda loved my grandkids with all her heart and cherished the time she had with them.

Linda is survived by her husband, Don A. Baker; a brother, Wayne E. Kunze; and two nephews, Mitchell R. Kunze and Michael W. Kunze.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene W. Kunze and Glady Ellen Wilson.

Linda never wanted to be the center of attention, but people just seem to gravitate to her warm smile and welcoming voice. She just wanted you to feel comfortable. She was a good listener and genuinely cared about you. That is what I remember about her on my first day beginning work at Anadarko Petroleum in 1985. We became friends and after a long time that friendship grew into a deep love which ended in a marriage proposal and a marriage of sixteen wonderful years. The year that we married, 2010, was also the year that both of us retired from Anadarko and the beginning of travel, Astro baseball games, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS), movies and just relaxing together watching our favorite TV shows. Linda loved reading, especially historical fiction, and mysteries.

Linda and I visited numerous cities across several European countries with Viking River Cruises. Destinations included Cologne, Strasbourg, Basel, Lucerne, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Normandy, Giverny, and others. Linda and I could hardly believe our eyes; it was beyond anything we had ever imagined witnessing such incredible sights. Linda favorite place without doubt was Paris. She loved Paris for many reasons but one of those reasons was art. The Louvre and Musee d’ Orsay were on her must see designations. Just outside Paris in Giverny we visited her favorite artist’s home, Claude Monet. Saw his home, gardens, and pond that he featured in his paintings. When we were home, we would take day trips to Brenham, Texas for lunch and to visit a local art store. We purchased several watercolors at this store, of which many were created by the same artist. We enjoyed thinking about just where the picture would look best in our home. On one of our visits, we were pleased to meet the artist that created many of our purchased watercolors.

Linda loved our Astros and we saw many games at Minute Maid Park, now Dakin Park. We watched many games on TV when we couldn't attend. We attended several playoff and World Series games. She also enjoyed going to TUTS downtown to watch live professional stage musicals. The trip home would always include our critiques of the actor’s performances and what we enjoyed most. Linda never relaxed; I nicknamed her my "energizer bunny." When she did find time to relax it would be with a favorite TV program, a puzzle on her IPad or a good book.

Linda was a member of the Xi sigma delta chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, a non collegiate international sorority. Linda had many dear friends in this group and enjoyed the social as well charitable endeavors.

As you can see, we loved being and doing things together. I will miss that! Linda, you are a Special Lady! I love you so much and miss you terribly! You are in a better place, no more pain and in the arms of our Lord and Savior. I will see you again!