Leola Marlane Bakker

Rock Valley, IA: Leola Marlane Bakker, 90, of Rock Valley, Iowa, passed away peacefully Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Whispering Heights of Rock Valley. A funeral service will be held Monday, August 18, at 10:00 AM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley with Pastor Chris Van Beek officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation with the family present will be held Sunday, August 17, from 2:00-3:30 PM at Porter Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to Horizons Unlimited in Emmetsburg, Iowa (https://www.horizons-unlimited.net/).

Leola Marlane Bakker, daughter of William and Mary (Koedam) Van Ginkel, was born September 20, 1934, at Rock Valley, Iowa. She attended country school through the 8th grade and went on to nursing school in Pierre, South Dakota. She worked as a licensed practical nurse in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Sioux Center, Iowa for a short period before marriage. Leola was united in marriage with Henry Bakker on November 15, 1956, on a farm near Rock Valley. Henry and Leola lived in Rock Valley their entire married life where they raised their 8 unruly and rambunctious children. Henry passed away April 15, 2009. In 2015, Leola moved to Aspen Heights in Hull, Iowa and then in 2023 she moved to Whispering Heights in Rock Valley.

After raising the children, Leola worked overnights for Hope Haven and truly enjoyed working with intellectually disabled individuals. She also volunteered for Meal on Wheels and other civic organizations in the community, giving her time in the service of others. But her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends.

Leola was anchored by her faith and was a lifelong member of the Netherlands Reformed Church. She ran a disciplined home and in true Dutch fashion, cleanliness was next to godliness. Leola enjoyed playing “Dutch Bingo” and amazed everyone with her skill level. She was blessed with a sharp mind which she kept until her passing. She also enjoyed a good game of Rummikub with her family, as well as her friends at Aspen Heights and Whispering Heights.

Leola is survived by her 8 children, Brenda (Brian) Croker of Whiting, Iowa, Glen (Dawn) Bakker of Lake Norden, South Dakota, Mark Bakker of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Doug (Cheryl) Bakker of Urbandale, Iowa, Lisa Bakker (Horizons Unlimited) Emmetsburg, Iowa, David (Regina) Bakker of Dodgeville, Wisconsin, Eric (Drennan Fischer) Bakker of Cumming, Iowa, and Susan (Kevin) Van Driel of Hawarden, Iowa; 19 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; sister, Wilma Van Beek of Rock Valley; brother, Gerald (Marcia) Van Ginkel of Sioux Falls; and sister-in-law, Angeline Hoogendoorn of Rock Valley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mary; husband, Henry; 3 grandsons, Ethan Van Driel, Gavin Van Driel, and Dustin Bakker; daughter-in-law, LaVonne Bakker; brother, Edwin Van Ginkel; sister-in-law, Alice Van Ginkel; brother-in-law, Mease Van Beek; and numerous Bakker-in-laws.