Bajema, Robert "Bob" 1941-2015

BAJEMA, VANDENBOSCH, PENNINGS

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--volunteer
Date: 12/29/2015 at 21:38:12

Source: Rock Valley Bee (5-27-2015)

Born: February 23, 1941
Died: May 17, 2015

Robert “Bob” Bajema, age 74, of Sioux Falls, died Sunday, May 17, 2015. Funeral Services will be held 10:30AM Thursday, May 21, 2015 at First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Falls. The family will be present to greet friends for visitation from 5:00PM to 7:00PM Wednesday at First Christian Reformed Church.

Robert “Bob” Bajema, son of Barney and Johanna (VandenBosch) Bajema, was born February 23, 1941 in Rock Valley, Iowa. Robert was raised and received his education in Rock Valley, Iowa. Robert graduated from Western Christian High School in Hull, Iowa in 1958.

Following high school Robert worked at the Rock Valley Bee and The Sheldon Mail as a typesetter. Robert attended the Commercial Trades Institute of Chicago, Illinois and became certified in Television Repair.

Robert was united in marriage to Helen Pennings, April, 25, 1969 in Sheldon, Iowa. They made their home in Sheldon, Iowa for 4 years. In 1973 they moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Robert worked at Brodies, Electric Construction and Johnson Appliance. Robert and Helen started Bob’s Appliance and TV Repair in 1977. Robert installed many air conditioners and repaired countless appliances. Robert was a member of First Christian Reformed Church for 42 years. Robert retired in 2002 due to ill health; he was diagnosed with lung cancer in November of 2012.

Robert enjoyed drinking endless cups of coffee, watching television, playing cards, and war history. Robert was known as being the guy with the Chevrolet El Camino. He was a great mechanic and could fix anything. Robert had a dry sense of humor and very good with one-liners. Robert had a deep concern for everyone’s well being. Robert treasured his children and grand children. He will be truly missed by them.

Survivors include his wife, Helen of 46 years, daughters Pamela (Todd) Bultsma, Sioux Falls, and Beverly (Darrel) Boyda, Lonsdale, Minnesota; grandchildren, Hayley and Isabel Bultsma, and Collin and Emily Boyda; sisters, Irene DeWit, and Alice (Harold) Koster; twin brother, Ronald (Evelyn) Bajema, all of Rock Valley, Iowa; and sister-in-law, Henrietta Bajema, Hills, Minnesota.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Otto, Leonard, and Bernie Bajema, and sisters, Francis Dykstra and Agnes Horstman.