John Gerrit Bakker was born April 4, 1939 in Hudson, South Dakota. He entered into new life on June 10, 2023. He breathed his last on this earth, July 20, 2023, at Renown Regional Medical Center surrounded by loved ones. He was born to Gerrit Bakker and Johanna Frings Bakker (both who immigrated from Holland). He was the 4th of 6 children.
The family moved from South Dakota to Escalon, CA in 1945 aboard a troop train. He had many adventures growing up there. Having not quite finished high school, John joined the Army, spent time in Germany, and returned home in November 1960. He met his wife Betty Perry the following summer.
John and Betty were married on October 14, 1961, in Waterford, CA. They settled in Escalon, CA, then to Patterson, Chowchilla, and eventually Reese Valley, NV in 1977. After farming there for over 20 years, they moved to Citrus Heights, CA where John had a short career as an insurance salesman. He then purchased a transmission shop, Joe Hill’s Transmission, which he owned for 10 years. After selling the shop, he had too much time to think about what to do next, and they moved to Fallon in 2008.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Betty (2-7-2022).
John and Betty had 4 children who survive them. Jeff (Diane) Bakker, Valerie (Bill) Christoph, both of Fallon, Glenn (Manny) Hickman, CA, and Debbie (Alex) VanderStoel, Waterford, CA.
They loved and adored their grandchildren, Jeffrey Bakker, Justin (Katie) Bakker, Ted, Lindsay, Emily Christoph, Cody (Melissa) Bakker, Sarah (Jesse) White, Chris (Paige) VanderStoel, Jolene (Julio) Montenegro. But the real special ones are the great grands, Dylan Bakker, Elle Bakker, Evan and Melody Bakker, Emerie, Lottie, Ryker White, and one on the way.
John is also survived by all 5 of his siblings, Bertha Boer, Minnie Brock, Susie Strom, Guy (JoAnn) Bakker, Nick (Kitty) Bakker, and many loved ones.
A memorial service will be at the Fallon Convention Center, 100 Campus Way, Fallon, NV 89406 on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 11 a.m. A private burial will be at the VA Cemetery in Fernley, NV.
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