BAKKER, Donavon L. 1936-1994

BAKKER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 9/22/2013 at 19:14:25

Donavon Bakker Services Held

Donavon L. Bakker, 58, of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, died on August 23, 1994, at University Hospital-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, of cancer.

Memorial services were held on Friday, August 26, at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Community Church, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Rev. Don Christianson officiated.

Memorials may be directed to the UW-Madison Oncology Research Dept., the Tour de Fort Bike Club or the Faith Community Church Building Fund.

Donavon was born on July 27, 1936, at Grundy Center, the son of Wilbur and Ella Bakker.

He graduated valedictorian from Grundy Center Community High School and from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, in 1958 with a degree in Agricultural Engineering.

For three years he designed and tested farm equipment for the Ford Motor Co., Birmingham, Michigan. In 1961 he began working for James Mfg. Co. in Fort Atkinson. The company was later known as the Jamesway Division of Butler Mfg. Co., and now as J-Star.

In the 33 years of his association with this company, he researched, designed and tested materials, handling equipment silo unloaders and cattle feeders that proved to be valuable products to the company and to farmers.

He was a member of Tau Beta Pi, an engineering honorary Fraternity and the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. He was awarded numerous patents for his inventions and was named ASAE Engineer of the Year. He was an active member of the Fort Lions Club. He enjoyed outdoor sports, especially downhill skiing, biking running and piloting a plane.

Donavon participated in five American Birkebeiner Cross Country Ski Marathons and several running marathons, including the Chicago Marathon. He rode on numerous long distance bike tours including the Iowa RAGBRAI.

He was the co-founder of the Tour de Fort Bicycle Club and was instrumental in the very successful Tour de Fort Metric Century Ride.

He was a member of Faith Community Church for 20 years.

Donavon is survived by two daughters, Sherry, Mrs. Dennis, McKee of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, and Laura Bakker of Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin; one grandson, David McKee of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin; his mother, Ella Bakker of Grundy Center; two sisters, Norma, Mrs. Lloyd, Hager of LaPorte City and Sharon, Mrs. Luman, Colton of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces and nephews.

Donavon was preceded in death by his father and an infant sister, Shirley Rose.

Nitardy Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

--newspaper clipping, source unknown