BAKKER, Fannie 1877-1939

BAKKER, KRUSE

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/5/2017 at 17:02:06

Obituary Mrs. Walter M. Bakker

Mrs. Walter M. Bakker, nee Fannie Kruse, was born March 11, 1877, near Forreston, Ill. When she was six years old the family moved to Iowa and settled in Grundy county. On March 8, 1899, she was united in marriage to Walter M. Bakker. In March of this year they were privileged to celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary.

They lived on a farm for many years, but eight years ago they retired and lived since then in Grundy Center. These years of retirement were soon overclouded by the shadows of sickness descending first upon the husband and then after he had recovered upon her. The grace of ministering to one another only helped to bring out their mutual devotion, deepened by a common faith in the Savior and His Gospel. Severe suffering was her lot for months and months, and in spite of expert medical care the ravishing disease made ever greater inroads upon her strength. She bore her pain with rare courage and what is more, in complete resignation to the Heavenly Father's will and in unbroken trust of her Savior and Lord. Her faith was indeed the anchor that kept her soul steadfast and sure. After more than two years of suffering, her release came on Tuesday evening, Nov. 21, at 8:30 p.m., at the age of 62 years, 8 months and 10 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure her devoted husband, the two sons, Manton and Wilbur Bakker with their families, the three grandchildren: Norma Jean, Donavan Leon, and Sharon Fay Bakker, to whom she was very much attached; four sisters, Mrs. Margaret Frerichs, Mrs. Barney Abels, Mrs. D. H. Dieken, and Mrs. John J. Abels; three brothers, Rev. A. C. Kruse, Henry and John K. Kruse. Two half-brothers, Sweir Reints and Will Reints, preceded her in death. Many other relatives and friends share in the sorrow of her departure.

Mrs. Bakker and her husband united with the Bethany Presbyterian church of Grundy Center as charter members. Through all these years she remained loyal in her support of this church and she employed her God-given talents of spiritual understanding and song as a teacher in the Sunday school and helper in the Sunshine committee, visiting the shut-ins at Easter. Until sickness made it impossible for her, she was ever faithful in attending the preaching services. God had opened her heart like that of Lydia's of old, to the Lord Jesus Christ and it was this faith which kept her looking unto Him with confidence until she fell quietly asleep in Jesus.

Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 24. At the house, a brother of the deceased, Rev. A. C. Kruse, offered a prayer of consolation. Relatives and friends from far and near filled the Bethany Presbyterian church where the services were held. Rev. K. J. Stratemeier took for his text Heb. 12,2 and spoke on "Looking Unto Jesus" to which he added a few remarks in German based on Rev. 21,3. The body was interred in the Colfax Center cemetery.

--The Grundy Republican (Grundy Center, Iowa), 30 November 1939, pg 12