Wilma Z. Baird

1915 - 2016

Wilma Zieren Baird passed away, at the age of 100, on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, after a brief illness. Born on June 28, 1915, in Grafton, Neb., Wilma grew up on a farm in a family of seven sisters and two brothers. A few years after high school graduation, she and a sister went off to the big city of Denver, Colo., to join another sister. One of her jobs there was working on an assembly line for Remington Arms during World War II; she told many interesting stories about life during the war years. In 1943, she married Leslie Baird of Denver. They soon made their home in Cheyenne, Wyo., where they raised their three children. Wilma occasionally worked outside the home in a variety of occupations, and she also volunteered in schools, for her church and in the community. In 1971, Les and Wilma retired to Denver, enjoying family and friends there for many years. In 2012, Wilma moved to Anchorage, Alaska, establishing her residence at Marlow Manor Assisted Living and attending St. Patrick's church. Wilma's pleasures were the simple ones: Flowers in gardens, particularly roses and peonies; big band music and dancing; a home-cooked meal, especially a fried chicken dinner; playing cards, preferably pinochle; a good cup of coffee and conversation along with it; and most of all, visits with family. Celebrating her 100th birthday was a highlight for her; she delighted in the greetings and good wishes she received from so many people who knew her. Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, Caroline and Joseph Zieren; two brothers, Raymond Zieren and "Bud" (Bernard) Zieren; four sisters, Lenore Hansen, Irene King, Ellen Voss and Florence Faughn; and her husband of 46 years, Leslie. She is survived by her children: daughter, Carol (Ron) Todd of Anchorage; daughter, Jeannette Baird of Denver; and son, Ronald (Debbie) Baird of Anchorage; four grandchildren, Kari (Todd) Skinner (Ian) and J. "Jake" Todd of Anchorage, Sarah Baird of Anchorage and Nathan Baird of Bozeman, Mont.; and two great-grandchildren, Tate Skinner and Peja Skinner. She is also survived by three sisters, Mary Garbers of Denver, Ethel Krull of Rapid City, S.D., and Francis Kamler of Geneva, Neb.; and one sister-in-law, Ellen Baird of Los Altos, Calif.; as well as many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the kind and dedicated staff at Marlow Manor and the skilled and compassionate doctors and nurses of Providence Hospital for the care Wilma received. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick's Parish, 2111 Muldoon Rd. in Anchorage, with a reception afterward in the gathering area. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Clare House, 4110 Spenard Rd.; or to the Arthritis Foundation, 615 East 82nd Ave. #104; or to any charity of choice. Local arrangements by Legacy Funeral Homes.