Gertie Bakker, age 83, passed away peacefully at the Piper Creek assisted living facility in Red Deer, Alberta on Oct. 22, 2017. She was born on Jan. 19, 1934 in Beetgumermolen in the province of Friesland, of the Netherlands, to the late Ymke and Janna Kikstra.
She fondly remembered her childhood, especially skating on the canals and visiting with her pake.
As a young adult, Gertie immigrated to Canada. Upon landing in Canada her Dutch name, Gepke, was Canadianized to Gertie. She settled in Edmonton area then later she moved with her young family to the Rocky Mountain House area. While raising six children, she attended Red Deer College and became a rehabilitation worker at the Michener Centre. She finished her career as a pharmacology technician.
Gertie thoroughly enjoyed playing cribbage, jigsaw puzzles, and talking with friends and family. She was always delighted meeting up with the Tamarack girls. And she was a longtime member of the Christian Reformed Church.
Gertie is predeceased by her parents Ymke and Janna Kikstra, Sister Hilda LaDoucier and her daughter Sharon Butterwick.
Gertie is survived by: children Harvey Bakker (Pam) of Leduc, Stephen Bakker (Gail) of Salem, Oregon, Larry Bakker of Edmonton, Maralyn McLean (Garth) of Rocky Mountain House, Duane Bakker (Sara) of Leslieville; grandchildren Cory Butterwick, Keith Butterwick, Tyson Bakker, Chandra Curry, Aaron Curry, Cameron McLean, Travis McLean, Jordan Bakker, Dillon Bakker, Joshua Bakker, Tianna Bolstad, Travis Soare and Ryan Bakker and great grandchildren Adria, Kristian, Tyler, Camryn, her siblings Henry (Lorraine) Kikstra, Barbara (Jack) Dykstra, Clarence (Linda) Kikstra, and Darlene (Gordon) Ironside, as well as many of her church family, and friends.
Services will be held Oct. 30, 2017 at 1 p.m. at Christian Reformed Church, 16 McVicar St., Red Deer. We invite her friends and family to come and share the best memories of Gertie
Interment will be a private graveside service at Alto Reste Cemetery.

• Date : 2017-10-24
• Location : Red Deer, Alberta