Dale Bakker

Wherever Dale goes, he leaves things better than he finds them.

Born on December 28, 1943, to Herman and Gladys Bakker, Dale grew up just south of the Mill, AKA Grundy County Welcome Center — a place many Iowans recognize. His family farmed the land, and Dale spent nine years attending country school, where he was the top, bottom, and middle of his class — the only student in it. After country school, Dale attended Grundy Center High School. He may be one of the few who didn’t pass the Kuder career aptitude test — he liked a little of everything. Perhaps that’s what makes him so remarkably well-rounded. His true calling has always been humble service to others. Following graduation, Dale worked for a farmer for a year. When his father asked if he planned to attend college, Dale said yes — prompting his dad to sell the milk cow herd by the following Friday. Dale had been the afternoon milker.

In 1963, Dale began general education studies at Dordt College, where he met his future wife, Nadine. Between his junior and senior years, they married. Nadine was teaching in Ireton at the time. Dale began teaching at Rock Valley Christian School with the understanding that he’d complete his credentials at Westmar College in LeMars. His first year, he taught math, science, and Bible — all to classes of over 30 students. Nadine became pregnant and joyfully announced they were expecting twins. Dale became a father to two healthy girls. Tragically, Nadine experienced internal bleeding and passed away after being transferred to Sioux City. That Sunday, Dale attended church, where the parents of one of his students offered to help raise the girls — a gift of grace that lasted two years. Though Dale had graduated from Dordt with Joyce Kragt, they hadn’t known each other then. Their paths crossed again while teaching at Rock Valley Christian, and in 1970, they married and began their life together. Their children have grown into lives of service and family:

-Sandra, a nurse in Orange City, is married to Kevin Wynja and has a son and daughter.

-Brenda, a purchaser at Deluxe Animal Health is married to Chad Fykstra, and farms near Sheldon. Together they have a son and daughter.

-John, married to Lori, works in construction in Omaha.

-David, married to Kim, teaches math in Denver and has three sons.

His commitment to Christ and His work is evident in every nail hammered, every mile driven, and every hand extended. Thank you, Dale and Joyce, for your faithful example and your generous hearts. You are a blessing to all who know you.

Dale and Joyce are blessed with seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren — with number seven on the way. After leaving teaching, Dale worked for Floyd Davelaar. By 1985 he had his own business that weathered the 1985 farm crisis, a testament to his resilience and faith. Christ has always been a part of Dale’s life. At Dordt he attended catechism and made his profession of faith. Dale’s life has been guided by Scripture. One verse especially dear to him is from Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest.” In 1980, Dale joined a JFA volunteer work crew in Jackson, Mississippi. For 44 years, he was part of the workgroup for the Voice of Calvary Service and Learning. Dale also volunteered at JFA, starting by loading trucks and later working in the tool room — a place where anything with a plug was fair game for repair. He still volunteers there when he can.

Last year, Dale was too busy volunteering 30–35 hours a week with Habitat for Humanity in Rock Valley to join the VOC trip. At Habitat, he focuses on installing doors, trim, and baseboards— quiet, skilled work that transforms homes and lives. Dale and Joyce have built their lives around service. Dale is the kind of person who helps even when it’s inconvenient — simply because it’s needed. It’s who he is. Together, they’ve served in countless ways, making service not just a practice, but a way of life.Wherever Dale goes, he leaves things better than he finds them.