Mary Ann was born on a sunny day on June 27, 1933, in Grand Rapids, MI. She was part of a large family, one of 9 siblings born to Gerrit and Nellie VanderLugt.
She graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School with an emphasis on Commercial Arts. This would prove to uniquely prepare her for helping Bob to set up the family business in 1967. Mary Ann married Bob Bakker in 1954 and they cheered one another on for 68 years.
Mary Ann enjoyed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She pointed them to Jesus at every opportunity. In-home life, at play, and in discipline, she was consistent and encouraging. The Lord’s Joy radiated through her to the very end.
Music was one of Mary Ann’s great joys in life. She enjoyed singing in church choirs, community choirs, and most recently in the Evergreen Chorale. Mary Ann’s gift of hospitality was experienced by many through a meal, a bed, or a swim at any time as well as other practical expressions of Jesus’ love.
In retirement, Mary Ann enjoyed travel and time with her family, especially the combination of the two traveling to Africa to visit her son Keith and Deb and their family.
She will be deeply missed by those who survive, including her husband Bob Bakker; children: Keith and Debbie Bakker, Bob and Lynda Bakker, Jim and Patti Wallinga; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Dirk and Linda Bakker (Abigail, Amanda, Ava), Kent and Victoria Bakker (Austin), Julia and Zach Veenstra (Aria, Elijah, Emelia), Bob and Kristin Bakker (Bailey, Everett, Andrew), Tony and Bethany Bakker (Eddie, MaryAnn), Becky & Joe Schra (Ellery, Jackson, Josie), Mike Eling (Willem, Garrett), Kristine and Camren DeWaard (Amelia, Theo, Beatrix, Willa), Jim and Elizabeth Wallinga; also surviving are brothers: Nelson and Ken VanderLugt as well as many nieces and nephews.
Mary Ann has joined the singing of the celestial choir and is reunited with those who preceded her in death: granddaughter Kimberly Wallinga Eling, sisters: Trudy Van Prooyen, Clara Dykstra, Linda Brooks; brothers: Len, Andrew, Bill, and Jerry VanderLugt.
www.langelandsterenberg.com.
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