Marie Bakker

Rock Valley, IA: Marie Bakker, 93, of Rock Valley, Iowa, passed away Saturday, August 27, 2022, at Whispering Heights of Rock Valley. Funeral service will be held Thursday, September 1, at 2:00 PM at the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Rock Valley with Rev. J.J. Witvoet officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Wednesday, August 31, from 5:30-7:30 PM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley.

   Memorials may be directed to the Netherlands Reformed Christian School. Condolences may be left for the family at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

   Marie Bakker, daughter of Henry and Alice (Vande Hoef) Van Voorst, was born January 3, 1929. She grew up near Sioux Center, Iowa. After the early death of her father in 1943, she assisted her mother on the farm. She attended country school through the 8^th grade, and after her children were grown she earned her GED at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, Iowa. Marie married John Bakker on May 27, 1949, at her family home in Sioux Center. The couple farmed east of Rock Valley, Iowa at the Bakker homeplace where they raised their 7 children. In addition to being a homemaker, Marie later worked at Valley Manor in Rock Valley and she spent 9 years as the head cook at the Netherlands Reformed Christian School. In 1994 Marie and John retired and moved to Rock Valley. John died December 31, 2013.

   Marie was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who had great compassion and a selfless love for her family. She was known for her needlework, crocheting, and sewing skills. She also enjoyed caring for her outdoor flowers. Marie could play piano and organ very well. Many songs she knew from memory. Marie was a lifelong member of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation. She dedicated many hours to helping the mission guild as well as the ladies auxiliary at school.

   Marie is survived by her 7 children, Audrey (Dennis) Van Maanen of Hull, Iowa, Fonda (Bob) Chedester of Sioux City, Iowa, Karen (Gerald) Meyer of George, Iowa, Gary (Joanne) Bakker of Hull, Mary (Gene) Rozeboom of Alvord, Iowa, John (Sandra) Bakker of Rock Valley, Iowa, and Alan (Avis) Bakker of Hull; 34 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; brother, Jake Van Voorst of Inwood, Iowa; sister-in-law, Dorothy Van Voorst of Marion, Iowa; John’s sister, Angeline (Gilbert) Hoogendoorn of Rock Valley; John’s sisters-in-law, Evelyn Bakker of Sioux Center, and Leola Bakker of Hull; and many nieces and nephews.

   Preceding Marie in death were her parents, Henry and Alice Van Voorst; husband, John Bakker; 1 granddaughter; 2 great-grandsons; sisters, Hermina (Bill) Van Bochove, Gertrude (Henry) Van Beek, Hattie (John) Rus, and Priscilla (Jack) Dibbet; brothers, John (Tillie) Van Voorst, Richard Van Voorst, and Gerrit (Johanna) Van Voorst; sister-in-law, Freda Van Voorst; John’s brothers, Albert (Alice) Bakker, Bernard Bakker, and Henry Bakker; and John’s sisters, Dena (Martin) Luttikhuizen, and Jennie (Clarence) De Kam.