Kristin Leigh Colber-Baker

Kristin Leigh Colber-Baker passed away at her home in River Forest, Illinois on March 3, 2026. She was born in Rochester, New York, on February 27, 1964, the daughter of Myron and Laura Jane Colber. She grew up in Michigan and Arkansas, and graduated from Wheaton College and also the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Kristin worked in many executive roles over the years: for PepsiCo, Pizza Hut, Yum Brands, Burger King, and finally retiring in 2022 from Mars. She also served on the board of Fresh Del Monte Produce and many nonprofit boards including Compassion International. She is survived by her beloved husband James Joseph Baker, Jr. Loving mother of Quinten and Aaron. Sister of Douglas Warren Colber.

She is remembered for her sparkling smile, warmth, wit, wisdom, generosity, courage, and grace. Kristin was a faithful friend to many. She had a love for music, traveling, pranking, and humor. She was an initiator, servant leader, mentor, encourager, and Christ-follower. Kristin was actively involved in her community wherever she lived, and she kept in touch with friends she’d met around the country and the world through school, work, and service trips to Honduras. For the past 27 years, she and Joe lived in the Oak Park and River Forest area and developed dear friendships with neighbors at First Presbyterian Church of River Forest, the River Forest Tennis Club, Soul City Church, and Christ Church of Oak Brook.

A visitation will be held on Saturday March 21, 2026, from 9:00am until time of memorial service 10:30am at Christ Church of Oak Brook, 501 Oak Brook Rd, Oak Brook, IL 60523." Lunch will be served at the church immediately following the service." If you'd like to make a donation or send flowers, the family would prefer you choose to make a donation. Here are two of Kristin's favorite charities: Compassion International --their focus is releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name, and they put in place a program that you may help fund honoring Kristin in Togo, Africa. Kristin served on their board and sponsored several children. Wheaton College: Bruce Howard Endowed Scholarship Click the link Wheaton College: Designation / Wheaton College Designations / Bruce Howard Endowed Scholarship-- this is a fund Kristin started in honor of her favorite professor to help advance women in business and economics.

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