Arlene Bakker, 84

Arlene Bakker, 84

Arlene Bakker, 84, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Valley Springs, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 at her home at Washington Crossings in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 at Valley Springs Reformed Church in Valley Springs. Visitation with family present to greet friends will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls. An online guestbook is available at georgeboom.com.

Arlene Brands was born on June 17, 1940 in Inwood, Iowa to Henry and Jennie (Brouwer) Brands. She grew up helping on the farm with her sisters and brother west of Inwood. She attended a country school and graduated from Western Christian High School in Hull, Iowa. While with her sisters, cruising around the town of Canton. Arlene met, Cornelius F. Bakker. The couple were united in marriage on Feb. 7, 1962 in Inwood, Iowa. They made their home between Brandon and Valley Springs where they farmed, gardened, and she loved being a housewife and mother. Cornelius and Arlene adopted four wonderful children.

Arlene became a Certified Nursing Assistant and spent over 30 years caring for patients at Palisade Manor in Garretson.  

Arlene and Cornie loved being a big part of Valley Springs Reformed where sje taught Sunday School, was member of Ruth Circle and volunteered in whatever the church needed.  

Arlene enjoyed tending to her very large gardens, playing card games with the neighbors, making and eating doughnuts, homemade mints, lots of canning and large Sunday dinners after church. Next to her love of the Lord, came her family. Arlene always had a smile on her face. She cherished spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Joan (Dean) Fischer of Crooks; two sons, Jeff (Mindy) Bakker of Sioux Falls, and Henry Bakker of Brandon; 12 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; three sisters, Nelma Byker, Gertrude Kruid, both of Orange City, Iowa, and Carol “Joyce” (Bill) Bouwman of Rock Valley, Iowa; one brother, Gerald (Lavina) Brands, Inwood, Iowa; and numerous, nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Cornelius F. Bakker on March 30, 2021; her parents, Henry and Jennie Brands; daughter, Connie McDougall; grandson, Cole Thompson; and four sisters, Rena In’t Veld, Jennie Dragstra, Dorothy Voortman and Marian Wallenburg.

For online condolences, visit georgeboom.com.