February 25, 1934 – May 18, 2022
It is with profound sadness and much love that the family of Ada Bakker of Orillia, Ontario announce her peaceful passing on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at the Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital. She was in her 89th year.
Loving wife of sixty years to Gerben “Jim“ Bakker – predeceased.
Caring mother of Walter Bakker of Orillia (Vancouver, British Columbia previously) – predeceased, Jane (Glenn) Boyd of Orillia, and Harry (Karen) Bakker of London, Ontario.
Doting grandmother of Brandon (Robin) Boyd and Alicia (Jeremy) Ellis, all of Orillia, and Liam, KC, and Emily Bakker, all of London; and doting great-grandmother of Welsey Ellis and Nolan, Riley, Adalynn, Hope (born asleep), Blakely, and Elle Boyd, all of Orillia.
Devoted daughter of parents, Jantien (nee Witvoet) and Klaas Walma of Orillia (originally of Joure, Friesland, the Netherlands), and of Jim’s parents, Antje (nee de Vries) and Harmen Bakker of Drachten, Friesland, the Netherlands – all predeceased.
Caring sister of Tena (Joseph) Versteegen of Orillia – both predeceased, Kees of the Netherlands, Taede (Barbara – predeceased) Walma of Dowling (Orillia previously), Gerry (Susan) Walma of Orillia and Phyllis Walma – predeceased, Alan Walma of Ospringe – predeceased and Agnes [Robert] Keating of Guelph, Joyce (Keith) Conley of Calgary, Alberta, Suzanna Walma of Victoria, British Columbia, and Jim’s fourteen siblings and their spouses.
Attentive aunt to Jenny (Brian) Hicks of Orillia, Tony Versteegen of Huntsville, Goldie (Dan) Sneyd of Owen Sound, Carl (Louise) Walma of Orillia, Sonja (Jim) Mathiasen of Dowling, Paul (Nancy) Walma of Cumberland Beach, Michelle (Senora) Walma of Alliston, George (April) Keating of Guelph, Susann Keating of Guelph, Sharon (Phil) Bourdeau of Stoney Plain, Alberta, Kevin (Ella) Conley of Nanaimo, British Columbia, and many Bakker family nieces and nephews. Fondly remembered by many other family members and friends, including treasured friend Elberta “Bertie” Sallows of Orillia.
Born February 25, 1934, in Joure, Friesland, the Netherlands, Ada grew up working in the family’s potato distribution business. Like many Dutch people, the Walmas suffered through the Nazi occupation of their homeland during World War II. While Tena, Kees, and Taede settled in Canada soon after the war, Ada and the remaining Walmas immigrated to Canada in 1955; crossing the Atlantic Ocean on the Waterman, they landed at Quebec City and made their way to Holland Marsh to tend the fields. After work dried up at the Marsh, the Walmas moved to Orillia, where Ada and Jim met and married on June 14, 1958.
Ada was actively involved with the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies, the Order of the Eastern Star, the St. Paul’s United Church choir, and the St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church choir. A talented singer, she performed endless solos, duets, quartets, and cantatas, often with Gerry, Susan, and Taede. While her voice may be quieted here, her soprano voice carries on with the choir of heavenly angels above.
Memorial donations may be made in Ada’s name to Mariposa House Hospice, Severn, Ontario and/ or the Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital. Special thanks from the extended Bakker family to Bayshore PSWs Monica, Taya, and Kelly for their compassionate homecare as well as to Doctors Odlozinski and Gardhouse and the entire IMSR1 nursing team and staff for their superior medical care and compassion.
Online Messages of Condolence are welcome at www.CarsonFuneralHomes.com