Bakker, Effie (Mrs. John) 1919-2003

BAKKER, KOOIMAN, KOLLIS

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

Source: Sioux County Index (3-26-2003)

Born: April 23, 1919
Died: March 16, 2003

Effie Bakker, age 83, died Sunday, March 16, 2003 at Valley Manor Nursing Home in Rock Valley.

Funeral services were held Wednesday at the First Reformed Church in Rock Valley with burial at Valley View Cemetery. Reverend Michael Van Hamersveld was the officiant.

Effie Bakker was born on April 23, 1919 in Sanborn, Iowa, daughter of Cornelius and Wilhelmina (Kooiman) Kollis. The Kollis family farmed in the Inwood, Iowa area.

Effie attended country school while also helping on the family farm. Effie married John William Bakker on February 28, 1940 in Inwood.

Together, they raised a family and farmed in areas such as Hawarden, Artesia, California and for more than 30 years, near Fairview, South Dakota. Effie and John retired from farming and moved into Rock Valley in 1972. John died on January 27, 1997.

Effie loved her Lord and loved her family. In her own words, Effie said her gifts from the Lord included singing, baking, growing flowers, fellowship and visitation. Effie enjoyed collecting stamps, buttons and rocks. She had a dream of creating a rock garden in her backyard with rocks she had collected.

Effie was very active in church in the Eunice Circle and taught Sunday School. She also enjoyed reading about geography and world history.

Effie's memories will live on with her family of three daughters: Wilma Ofstad, LouBerta "Birde" Theede, both of Canton, South Dakota and Gertrude Bakker of Rock Valley; one sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Kollis of Artesia, California; 6 grandchildren, Elizabeth Ann "Liz" Ofstad of Washington, DC, Marie Gardner and husband Jeremy of Alexandria, Virginia, John Theede and wife Carmon of Hudson, Florida, Tom Theede of Canton, Julie Theede of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Dan Theede of Canton; 5 great-grandchildren, Jillian, Luke, Paige, Marina and Kristi.

Effie was preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents; and many brothers and sisters.