Mildred Elizabeth Ames Baker
Mildred Elizabeth Ames was born April 14, 1922 in Miles City Montana. Mildred Baker passed away on August 20, 2019 in the home she shared with her daughter Bonnie in Portland Oregon at the age of 97.
Mildred Elizabeth was born the second child of Jay & Emma Ames. She joined older brother Truman and they were later joined by younger brother Wallace. They enjoyed growing up in Montana surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and lots of cousins. Mildred shared a special bond with her cousin Grace that last for over 90 years. They relied on their family for support when Mildred’s father Jay passed away when she was just 9 years old.
Wally introduced Mildred to Jess Baker at the Log Cabin grocery store in May 1941. They fell in love and married just 6 months later. They went to Two Dot North Dakota to meet Jess’ family for their honeymoon and got stuck in the snow with his brother, sister-in-law, and young nephew. A farmer brought a team of horses to pull them out of the snow.
Mildred worked as a live-in cook & housekeeper before she was married. She was a stay at home wife and mother for several years. As her kids got older, she worked as a teacher’s aid for a couple years and then at a small contract Post Office. She was also a great baker of cookies and had to hide them from her children so they wouldn’t eat them all up. However, when grandchildren came along, they were free for the taking. She also enjoyed making rice krispie treats with the grandchildren.
Mildred and Jess started their family with daughter Bonnie, their second child was son Ray, and son Loren was the final addition. They lived in Montana, Missouri, and then moved to California in 1953 where they spent the majority of their married life together close to Mildred’s brother Wally and family. Their family grew when Bonnie married Rick and had the first grandchild and only grandson Rob and then granddaughter Kate joined the family. Ray married Lucy and they gave Mildred three granddaughters: Magdalena, Julie, & Raquel. Loren married Patti and had the last granddaughter Kaylan.
Then the great grandchildren joined the family: Nicole, Amanda, Rickey, Jorge, Julian, Ronnie, Austin, Louis Jess, Amara, & Kaia. And just this year the first great-great grandchild was born: Naya. Mildred loved all of her family and seeing them, talking with them, or just hearing from them gave her great joy which was evident by the smile on her face. Even in her last months, when she wasn’t feeling well, family always helped her feel better. Sometimes it was a picture of family from Wyoming, California, Georgia, Oregon, or Texas or it was a phone call, card, or visit.
Mildred came to faith in Christ as a young mother and had an ever growing faith in the Lord. She would sing the old hymns around the house and took her children to church. She helped out with the Awana program at her church for several years and volunteered with the Women’s Auxiliary at the Union Gospel Mission. She looked forward to Sunday so she could go to church to hear God’s word, see her friends, and encourage them. Mildred also read her Bible and the Daily Bread devotional every morning at the kitchen table. 14 months before Jess passed away, he accepted Christ and it gave Mildred such joy to know that he would be going to Heaven too. Her heart’s desire is to see all of her family and friends know Christ and to see everyone in Heaven someday. Some of her final words were “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus”, she just wanted to go home to see Jesus.
In Mildred’s final months, while she was on hospice, she was lovingly cared for in her home by her daughter Bonnie and wonderful hospice workers. Granddaughter Kate and her husband Jason spent time every week with Mildred and Bonnie. They shared many a meal and enjoyed playing games together (especially Yahtzee). She was visited by son Ray, wife Lucy, granddaughter Raquel, and great grandson Louis Jess from California. Granddaughter Kaylan and great granddaughters Amara & Kaia visited from Wyoming. Niece Eileen with her husband Jerry and sons Evan & Tony visited from Washington. Nephew Don with his son Aaron and grandson Jake also visited from California. She also had many visitors from church. All visitors were greeted by a big smile as she so enjoyed seeing her family and friends.
In her final hours, she was also surrounded by family, friends, and hospice workers. There was music playing, hymns were sung, prayers were prayed, hands were held, and hugs given. In her final moments, daughter Bonnie, grandson Rob, and granddaughter Kate were there. And they witnessed the peaceful passing of Mildred from her final breath here on earth to dancing with Jesus in heaven.
Mildred is survived by her daughter Bonnie and son Ray. Grandson Rob, his wife Debbie, great granddaughter Nicole, her husband Brandon, great granddaughter Amanda, her wife Flor, and great grandson Rickey. Granddaughter Kate and her husband Jason. Granddaughter Magdalena and great grandson’s Ronnie and Austin. Granddaughter Julie, great grandson Jorge, his wife Kelsey, and great-great granddaughter Naya. Granddaughter Raquel, her husband Anthony, and great grandson Louis Jess. And granddaughter Kaylan, her husband Cody, and great granddaughters Amara & Kaia.
Mildred was preceded in death by husband Jess, son Loren, son-in-law Rick, and great grandson Julian. Brother Truman, sister-in-law Francis, and nephew Dennis. Brother Wally and sister-in-law Olga.
If you would like to make a donation in Mildred’s name, donations can be made to Mildred’s favorite charities:
Central International Fellowship (4760 16th Ave, Sacramento, CA 95820)
Mt Scott Church - Neighbor to Neighbor Ministry (https://mtscott.church/ministries/#n2n)
Salvation Army (https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/give/164006/#!/donation/checkout)
Union Gospel Mission (https://www.uniongospelmission.org/donate)
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