Mass of Christian Burial for Gordon Bakker, 53, of Balaton will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2019, at Holy Redeemer Church in Marshall. A visitation will take place on Friday, June 7, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Rehkamp Horvath Funeral Home in Marshall, with a rosary at 5:00 p.m. and a parish prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will take place following the service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall.
Gordon Arleigh Bakker was born on July 1, 1965, in Marshall, to George and Audrey (VanOverbeke) Bakker. Gordon grew up on Bakker’s Acres and attended school in Russell. After graduating from Russell Tyler High School, Gordon went to vocational school in Willmar to be a mechanic. There he met Linda Hennen, and the couple was united in marriage on June 21, 1986, in Richmond. Gordon and Linda lived in the Twin Cities for seven years, where Gordon worked as a diesel mechanic. During this time, their oldest son, Adam, was born. Gordon moved back home to farm with his family in 1991. Gordon and Linda raised their family, which soon added sons Alex and Andrew, on the farm.
Family was very important to Gordon. He was a wonderful husband to Linda, and he was a loving father who taught his sons how to be good husbands and fathers. Gordon’s pride and joy were his grandchildren, to whom he was known as “Grandpa Gord.” Gordon was a great mechanic who could fix anything. He took meticulous care of his work space and vehicles, making sure that everything was in its place. He enjoyed traveling and going on motorcycle rides with Linda. The highlights of his winters were annual snowmobiling trips with the family. Gordon was a kind, selfless man who would do anything for anyone, and he will be greatly missed.
Gordon passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, as this wet spring just got to be too much for our farmer. He is survived by his wife Linda Bakker of Balaton; sons Adam (Brianna) Bakker of Brandon, SD, Alex (Katie) Bakker of Balaton, and Andrew (Sam) Bakker of Garretson, SD; grandchildren Aria, Ezra, Ira, Brynn, Brock, and Briggs Bakker; parents George and Audrey Bakker; siblings Anita (Pat) Fletcher, Gregg (Becky) Bakker, Ang (Al) Pool, Arlene (Tom) Schwerzler, Alice (Dean) Vroman, and Amy (Scott) Hunt; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Blessed be his memory.
