Ronald Dee Bakker

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Ronald Dee Bakker, on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the age of 72. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Abels Funeral and Cremation Service, Dike Chapel 680 Main Street in Dike. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Lincoln Center Church 18901 Q Avenue Grundy Center, Iowa. Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Dike. Memorials may be directed to the family. 

Ron was born on March 27, 1953, to Louis and Jennie (Viet) Bakker. Ron grew up outside of Dike, Iowa, helping on his family farm.

Ron graduated from Dike High School in the class of 1971 and shortly thereafter attended college to study autobody. He pursued work in autobody, along with various other jobs. Ron settled down with the Hudson Co-op, from which he retired after 36 years of service.

Ron welcomed two of his greatest blessings into the world, his children Heather and Heath. Some of Ron’s favorites included spending time with his family, attending his grandchildren’s extracurricular activities, taking trips with friends, dancing with Lori, watching football games at Lynch’s, collecting fishing lures, and having coffee with his brothers and nephews at the family farm.

Left to cherish his memory are his significant other, Lori Grell, his children Heather (George) Epps, of Waterloo, Iowa, and Heath (Caitlin) Bakker of Wellsburg, Iowa; his bonus children Becky (Dan) Forey of Waterloo, Iowa, Tammy Lichty of Indianola, Iowa, and Sabrina (RJ) Lee of Waterloo, Iowa; his grandchildren Hannah, Hayden and Carsyn Bakker; his bonus grandchildren Brandi, Tony, Adam, Ian, Emma, Arial, Chloe, and Robert III; five bonus great-grandchildren; sister MaryLou Bakker of New York, New York; brothers Chuck (Barb) Bakker, Larry (LeAnn) Bakker, Loren (Jacque) Bakker, Curt Bakker, all of Dike, Iowa and Mike (Michelle) Bakker of Ankeny, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

Ron was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; his mother and father; and his brother Jeff Bakker.