Wanda Eileen Baartman

Rock Valley, IA: Wanda Eileen Baartman, 77, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Funeral service will be held Friday, May 20, at 10:30 AM at First Christian Reformed Church of Rock Valley with Rev. Matthew Haan officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Thursday, May 19, at First CRC of Rock Valley from 5:00-7:00 PM.

   Memorials may be given to Orphan Grain Train (https://www.ogt.org/). Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley is assisting the family with arrangements.

   Wanda Eileen Baartman, daughter of Paul and Jennie (Kuiper) De Leeuw, was born on a farm near Middleburg, Iowa on September 23, 1944. She was a graduate of Western Christian High School in Hull, Iowa. Wanda was united in marriage with Lawrence Baartman on January 11, 1965, in Boyden, Iowa. The couple made their home on a farm southwest of Rock Valley, Iowa where they raised their three children. Lawrence died March 22, 2004, and Wanda moved into Rock Valley. In addition to being a homemaker, Wanda worked part-time as a nurse’s aid in Rock Valley and later worked at K-Products in Orange City, Iowa. She also worked part-time at Boehringer Ingelheim in Sioux Center, Iowa.

   Wanda had a passion for using her talents of sewing and knitting and bringing items to the Orphan Grain Train at Ida Grove, Iowa. She made items such as diapers, baby blankets, caps, and dresses. She enjoyed attending grandchildren’s events, had a heart for helping others, and liked flowers and gardening. Wanda was a member of First Christian Reformed Church of Rock Valley.

   Wanda is survived by her three children, Mike (Tammy) Baartman of Rock Valley, Terry (Brenda) Baartman of Le Mars, Iowa, and Janelle (Jeremy) Brower of Inwood, Iowa; ten grandchildren, Kimberly Baartman, Leah (Glenn) Walls, Joel Baartman, Caleb (Megan) Baartman, Dillan Baartman, Mitchell Baartman, Kendra Baartman, Addi Brower, Chase Brower, and Tyler Brower; and three siblings, Beth De Leeuw of Orange City, John (Kathy) De Leeuw of Byron Center, Michigan and Ed (Nancy) De Leeuw of Orange City.

   Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Jennie De Leeuw; husband, Lawrence Baartman; and niece, Sandi (De Leeuw) Lautenbach.