Bakker, Johanna (Mrs. Gysbert "Gys") 1906-1996

BAKKER, DEKAM, DEWITTE

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:35

Source: Rock Valley Bee (5-8-1996)

Born: September 26, 1906
Died: May 3, 1996

Johanna Bakker, 89, died Friday, May 3, 1996, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Johanna DeKam was born September 26, 1906, daughter of John and Pieternella (De Witte) DeKam in Zeeland, The Netherlands. She moved to the Chandler, Minnesota area at age 14. She married Gysbert "Gys" Bakker on April 8, 1927, in Slayton, MN. They farmed near Chandler, Hudson and in 1941 near Rock Valley. They retired in 1970.

The couple moved to their daughter's home in Rock Valley in 1990. Her husband died May 14, 1992.

Survivors include four sons: Gys Jr. of Hull, Iowa; John, Albert and Clarence, all of Rock Valley; five daughters: Bertha Leloux and Gert Busby, both of Rock Valley; Nellie Keizer and Goldie Veldman, both of Hull; and Johanna Catchot of Norfolk, Virginia; 33 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Clarence of Rock Valley; and Sam of Rock Rapids,Iowa; and six sisters: Mrs. John (Ann) Van Beek, Mrs. Leonard (Catherine) Groeneweg, Mrs. Clarence (Frances) Boer, Carolyn DeKam, and Mrs. Ed (Martena) Kragt, all of Rock Valley; and Mrs. John (Elizabeth) Oostra of Hudsonville, Michigan.

Services were Tuesday at First Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley, with burial in Valley View Cemetery. Visitation was Monday at the Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley.