Maria Luisa Baker

1932 - 2023

Jefferson, WI - Maria Luisa (nee Salazar Hernandez) Baker, age 91, of Jefferson, passed away Friday morning, September 22, 2023. She was born June 18, 1932, in Santander Jimenez, Tamaulipas, Mexico, a daughter of the late Eleno Salazar and Romana Hernandez.

Maria grew up in a small town in northern Mexico. When she was not attending school, you could find her and her twin sister selling fresh bread from their parent's restaurant "El Destino".

Maria was not afraid of hard work. She took on many roles during her life including working for the local middle school in Santander Jimenez where she met her late husband, Clifford. Maria and Cliff owned a local funeral home in Mexico that she ran very successfully. Cliff and Maria enjoyed being outdoors, especially fishing. Cliff and Maria moved to Texas in the early 90s, where they lived until Cliff's passing in 1997.

In 1999 Maria moved to Jefferson, Wisconsin. She was a staple in the downtown area. Maria could often be found sitting on her rocking chair outside of El Chaparral or running the small Mexican store behind El Chaparral. Maria was a strong-willed person who was not afraid to say what was on her mind. She was a devoted Christian who believed in the Lord and always prayed for you before you went home. Maria enjoyed dancing to polkas and huapangos, when she was not dancing, she loved watching people dance and listening to the music. Maria was caring and giving; Maria was liked and loved by many people; Maria was charismatic and would take immense joy in making everyone laugh, absolutely one of a kind!

Maria is survived by her siblings: identical twin Manuela and Delfino Salazar Hernandez. Her children: Guillermo (Mindy) Ponce Salazar, Luisa (Marc) Piper, Alonso (Socorro) Ponce Salazar, Marcelo Ponce Salazar, Jorge (Glory) Baker, Jose (Elsa) Baker. Grandchildren: Cecilia Lentz, Carolina (David) Drayna, Cristina (Travis) Becker, Alonso and Fernando Ponce, Leonardo Reyes, Diana Ponce, Carmen Adriana (Ramon Sanchez Johnson) Moreno Garza, Lilia Alejandra (Jesus Alvarez Acosta) Moreno Garza, Daniella and Samantha Baker. Greatgrandchildren: Genesis, Kaden, Leola, Logan, Asa, Mark Jr. Matthew, Jesus Alejandro, Luis Enrique, Rebeca and one on the way. Many nieces and nephews, and relatives and friends.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents Eleno and Romana; her husband of many years, Cliff Baker; son, David Ponce Salazar, siblings Guadalupe, Abel, Antonio, Jose, Alejandro, Juan, and Felisa Salazar Hernandez.

The family invites you to a celebration of life will be on Saturday 10/07/2023 starting 2pm at El Chaparral in Jefferson, Wisconsin.

Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.

www.DunlapMemorialHome.com