Elsa Jean Baker

Lt. Col Elsa J Baker, USAF (Ret) passed away at the Legacy of Cimarron Assisted Living Facility in El Paso, TX on May 12th, 2023, at the age of 79. She is survived by her beloved son William Baker (Erin Williams), and stepchildren Roger Martin Baker II (Teresa) of Las Cruces and Deborah Kinnison of Houston, TX. Grandchildren include Michael Kinnison, Jennifer Schneider (Peter) and their son Flynn, and Samantha Borum (Thomas) of Houston, TX, and Devyn Tucker (Maarken) and their son Sebastian of Valparaiso, FL. She is preceded in death by her husband Capt Walter Baker, USN (Ret) and son-in-law Gaston Kearby.

Elsa Jean Weustermann was born on April 26th, 1944, in Phoenix, AZ to Otto Weustermann and Josefa Garcia with fond memories of life on a dairy farm and falling in love with ballet dancing. She learned to appreciate food and the culinary arts from her father, the head pastry chef of the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, AZ.

In December of 1965, she enlisted in the United States Air Force as "a handpicked group of women carefully selected to be a nucleus for expansion in case of general war." In 1967, she obtained a degree from the University of Arizona in accounting and went to Officer Training School. In 1970, the Air Force sent her to Michigan State University to obtain a Master's Degree in Business Administration/Accounting. In her own words, she "felt a debt of gratitude to the Air Force for the education and the commissioning program and felt a responsibility to remain in the Air Force and make a success of (her) career so that enlisted women to follow could also be given the opportunity."

Her illustrious career in the military included being Division Budget Officer HQ Taipei/Taiwan, Chief of Financial Management for Foreign Military Sales of F/FR-4 HQ Wright-Patterson AFB, Budget Analysist of the F-15 and F-16 aircraft HQ Pentagon, Accounting and Finance Officer HQ Aviano AFB, Italy, and capped off her career as the Chief, Program Control and Integration Branch, Investment Appropriations Division, Director of Budget, HQ, Pentagon where she fielded questions from congressional hearings and inquiries about spending on aircraft and missiles. She considered her military career as an honorable profession that afforded her many opportunities, and she was proud to have served her country.

Elsa had a deep appreciation for art and culture, food and especially for dance that started as a child but was fanned into a greater flame during her international tours of duty. She loved to relive the beautiful places that she traveled, including Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore during her tour in Taipei and all over Europe during her tour in Italy.

On her first tour of duty at the Pentagon, she met a handsome Naval Captain, Walter Baker. They had a love story for the ages, and a courtship in Europe before eventually marrying. 1983, God graced them with a son, William, whom she considered her most treasured accomplishment. With him, she learned how computers worked, shared a love of all things Star Trek, and learned to play dozens of board games.

By 1987, she had retired from the Air Force, with over 22 years of service, and settled down with her family in Las Cruces, NM. She remained active in the community and served as an officer for countless clubs including Vietnam Veterans of America, the American Legion, and Military Order of the World Wars. She was instrumental in the creation of the Las Cruces Veterans Memorial Park. She practiced her Catholic Faith at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Las Cruces. She was a proud historian of New Mexico and enjoyed eating out with friends and family at Lorenzo's and the Double Eagle.

A viewing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23rd from 5 to 7pm with a Rosary Service following at Getz Funeral Home, 1410 Bowman Ave, Las Cruces. A mass will be held on Wednesday May 24th at 10:30 am at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 1240 S Espina St, Las Cruces. Internment will be with Full Military Honors at The National Cemetery at Fort Bliss, TX on Wednesday May 24th at 2:30 pm with a reception at the home of Erin Williams following. Inquiries can be directed to Getz Funeral Home at (575) 526-2419.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org

The family wishes to thank the staff at The Legacy at Cimarron for their dignified care when we needed it most.

Service Details.
Rosary Service Location
Getz Funeral Home Chapel
Address
1410 E. Bowman Ave.
Las Cruces, NM 88001


Service Location
Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Address
1240 S. Espina
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001


Interment Location
Ft. Bliss National Cemetery
Address
Address Not Available



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