The Superior Express -

Coleen Marie Burgess, the daughter of Mildred (Appl) and Charles Watson, was born May 15, 1938, at Leota, Kan. She died Thursday, March 18, at her home at Esbon.

Coleen received her formal education attending schools at Leota and then Karval, Colo. She was married to Bobby Baker on July 14, 1956, and to

this union four children were born, Roy, Ray, Deborah and Robert Baker.

This marriage later dissolved.

In 2000, Coleen joined Gale Burgess and they were blessed with 21 years together, making their home on the farm northeast of Esbon. Coleen was active in a number of activities. She was a member of the Esbon Community Church. She enjoyed bowling , fishing and making afghans, many of which she donated to the area nursing home residents. Coleen enjoyed being outdoors. She was an excellent cook and baker and treasured the time with family and friends.

Surviving are her husband, Gale Burgess of Esbon; children, Roy Baker of Covington, Ga.; Ray Baker of Rogers, Ark.; Deborah Coletti of Covington, Ga., and Robert Bakerof Franklin, Neb.; step-children, Scott Burgess of Seward, Neb.; Kristi Vandaveer of Osage, Okla., and Wes Burgess of Milford, Neb; sister, Linda Boyd of Burlington, Colo; and a brother, Jerry Watson of Beaverton, Ore.

A graveside service was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 24, at

the Esbon Cemetery with Pastor Rodney Rose officiating.

Visitation was held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, at the Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud with the family present for visitation on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m.