BAKKER, James H. 1951-1979

BAKKER, KRAMER, HEMPEN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 8/10/2012 at 16:39:23

James Bakker, 27, Dies At Home Sunday

James H. Bakker, 27, of Rt. 1, Dike, died at his parents home Sunday, October 28 at 9:30 a.m.

Death was due to self-inflicted strangulation.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Center Christian Reformed church, Rt. 2, Grundy Center with Rev. Alfred Hannink officiating.

Craig DeBerg sang "How Great Thou Art" and "What A Friend We Have In Jesus". He was accompanied by Mrs. Harlan Beninga, who also played selected prelude and postlude organ numbers.

Casketbearers were cousins Doug Kruse, Glen Bakker, Merle Bakker, Dale Bakker, Wayne Graves and Ronald Bakker. Ushers were Duane DeBerg, Dennis Dodd and Jim Luiken. Mrs. Larry Cirksena and Mrs. Floyd Luiken were floral attendants. Burial was in the Lincoln township cemetery, Grundy County.

Following the committal service friends and relatives returned to the church for fellowship and refreshments.

He was born November 3, 1951, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of John and Gladys Bakker. Jim graduated from the Grundy Center Community High School in 1970. He was married to Roberta Kramer in May 1977 and later divorced. He had been employed for four years with the Chicago Northwestern Railroad at Waterloo as trackman. Jim returned to the home of his parents recently.

Jim was a baptized member of the Lincoln Center Christian Reformed church and a member of AA.

He is survived by his parents, one sister, Mrs. Keith (Elaine) Venenga, his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Grace Bakker of the L. T. C., Grundy hospital, maternal grandmother, Mrs. Fannie Hempen, Grundy Center and two nephews Kevin and Kent Venenga.

A memorial fund has been established. The Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

--Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 1 November 1979