MaryAnn Baker

MaryAnn “Grams” Baker, 87, of Silvis, IL, died Thursday, December 7, 2017, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, IA.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, December 11, 2017, at Silvis United Methodist Church, 1301 2nd Avenue, Silvis. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, December 10, 2017, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38th Avenue, Moline. Burial will be at Greenview Memorial Gardens.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Silvis United Methodist Church or to QC PAWS.

MaryAnn was born on March 18, 1930, in East Moline, IL, the daughter of Walter Malcolm and Edith L. Adams Burge.  She married John “Jack” W. Baker on October 6, 1951, in East Moline, IL, and he preceded her in death on June 10, 2012.  She worked as the receptionist for Dr. Arthur J. Rubin in East Moline.

MaryAnn was a member of Silvis United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women.  She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star – Colona Chapter and the Moline YMCA.  MaryAnn was a member of the UTHS Class of 1948 “48 Club”.

MaryAnn enjoyed ceramics, cross-stitching, and needlepoint, which she shared with her family.  She and John were also frequent passengers on bus trips throughout the continental United States. Their most memorable trips were the annual camping trips starting in 1963 with their own children and have continued every year since.  Some of these trips included the states of Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana.  She’s been a world traveler, most recently traveling to her granddaughter’s wedding in Italy this past July.  One of Grams’ greatest joys was attending events for her grandchildren which she rarely missed from grade school through college. These events covered football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, track, wrestling, cheerleading, soccer, rugby, choir and band.

More than anything, family was most important in her life and family gatherings were her greatest joy.

Survivors include her sons, Keith William (Deborah) Baker, Port Byron, and Glenn Paul (Joan) Baker, Bettendorf; daughter, Debbie Ann (Tony) Rokis, Colona; grandchildren, Amy (Jeff) Swan, Colona, Scott Rokis, Gardnerville, NV, Kristin Baker (Jason) Debono, London, England, Jared (Courtney) Baker, New York City, NY, Ashley (Dan) Griswold, Bettendorf, IA, Anthony (Kathleen) Rokis, Benicia, CA, Kara (Guy) Dierikx, Port Byron, IL, and Brooke (Ben) Harrison, Bettendorf, IA; great-grandchildren, Addilyn and Zaiden Swan, Olivia and Augustus Rokis, Drake, Ryland, and Daxson Griswold, Carter Harrison, and Myles and Harper Dierikx.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother, Paul.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.