Donna Pearl Bakker

Hull, IA: Donna Pearl Bakker, 85, of Hull, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at her home under the care of her family and Orange City Area Home Health & Hospice. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 3, at 10:30 AM at the First Christian Reformed Church of Rock Valley with Rev. Matthew Haan officiating. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.christianworldmedia.com/livechannel/firstcrcrv. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation with the family present will be held Monday, June 2, from 5:30-7:30 PM at First CRC.

   Memorial donations may be directed to Love INC (https://loveincsiouxcounty.org/web/).

   Donna Pearl Bakker was born on May 3, 1940, in Rock Rapids, Iowa, to Peter “Pete” and Dora (De Zeeuw) Mantel. On October 23, 1959, Donna was united in marriage to Gysbert “Gys” Bakker in Doon, Iowa. They made their home northwest of Hull, Iowa and built a life centered on faith and hard work. Gys passed away June 19, 2013, and Donna later moved into town.

   Donna devoted much of her life to raising her family as a homemaker. She also worked outside the home at Hull Christian School, where she took pride in keeping the school clean and welcoming, and later worked for ServiceMaster.

   Donna was known for her grit and strength. A tough woman with a tender heart. She loved being outdoors, especially in her garden, and in her younger years she enjoyed sewing, fishing, and canning. Above all, her grandchildren were her greatest joy, and she cherished every moment spent with them. She passed on her love of faith by teaching her children how to pray, instilling in them values that will live on for generations.

   Donna is survived by her 2 daughters, Dorri Jo (Darrell) Bloemendaal of Hull and Gwen (Jamison) Van Voorst of Rock Valley, Iowa; 8 grandchildren, Kristin (James) De Jong, Ben (Rochelle) Bloemendaal, Dan (Shannon) Bloemendaal, Abbie Jansma, Jon (Rachel) Bloemendaal, Tasha Hulstein, Shaylie (Derrick) Jansma, and Jake Van Voorst (fiancée Stacy Wetterich); 19 great-grandchildren; her first great-great-grandchild, a boy, expected in August; 2 sisters-in-law, Goldie Veldman and Gert Busby; 2 brothers-in-law, John (Joyce) Bakker and Albert (Carolyn) Bakker; and many nieces and nephews.

   Preceding Donna in death were her parents, Pete and Dora; husband, Gysbert; son-in-law, Norwyn Bloemendaal; and brother, James Mantel.