Gerritt Bakker

Rock Valley, Iowa: Gerritt Bakker, age 85 of Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull (formerly of Rock Valley), died Monday, February 18, 2013 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. at First Reformed Church in Rock Valley with Pastor Garry Nyenhuis officiating. Burial will follow at a later date. Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at First Reformed Church in Rock Valley with family present from 7:00 ' 8:30 p.m. Condolences may be left for the family at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Gerritt was born on February 23, 1927 in Harrisburg, South Dakota, the son of Peter and Ada (Tilstra) Bakker. He attended country school near Alvord, IA until the 8th grade. Gerritt proudly served in the US Army during WWII in Germany. Upon his honorable discharge, Gerritt married Joyce Mulder on September 23, 1948. Gerritt was self-employed his whole career doing sand blasting and spray painting.

Gerritt is survived by his wife, Joyce, also of Pleasant Acres Care Center; 2 sons, Lyle Bakker of Sioux City, IA and Robert (Kathy) Bakker of Dakota City, NE; 3 daughters, Cheryl (Randy) Grevengoed of Boyden, IA, Gloria Koops of Sioux Center, IA, and Laurie Plueger (Don Vander Plaats) of Hull, IA; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; 2 sisters, Katheron Middle of Rock Valley and Annie (Don) Tiedeman of Hull, IA; and one brother, Raymond (Bertha) Bakker of Rock Valley.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Syrus Bakker; brother-in-law, George Middle; and an infant son.