Bakker, Janice Elaine "Jan" (Mrs. Dwight) 1946-2026

BAKKER, LINDEMULDER, DYK

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/15/2026 at 14:45:22

Mrs. Janice Bakker, age 79, of Hull, passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the Crown Pointe Estates in Sioux Center.

A visitation with the family present will be held on Sunday, June 14, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, at the Hope Christian Reformed Church in Hull. A prayer service will take place on Monday, June 15, at 10:00am, at the church, followed by interment at the Hope Cemetery in Hull. There will be a memorial service on Monday, at 11:00am, at the church with the Rev. Lee Christoffels officiating. The Oolman Funeral Home in Hull is in charge of arrangements.

Janice Elaine was born on November 27, 1946, to John and Grace (Lindemulder) Dyk in Bozeman, Montana. She was raised in the Manhattan, Montana area, attending Manhattan Christian School. She continued her education at Dordt College in Sioux Center, earning her degree in elementary education. There, as a basketball cheerleader, she met the love of her life, the basketball team manager, Dwight Bakker. They were married on June 21, 1968, in Churchill, Montana. They made their home in Hull in 1969 and became members of the Hope Christian Reformed Church in Hull.

Jan loved teaching and taught for 35 years at the Hull Christian School, starting in the first grade, moving down to kindergarten, and then finally settling in the third grade. Many students over the years have shared that she was their favorite teacher, and it seems she made them believe that each of them was her favorite student.

After she and her teacher friends retired, she enjoyed their continued “staff meetings” held at various coffee places in the area. Wednesday lunches or other gatherings with friends were highlights of her week. She enjoyed spending time with family and attending her grandkids’ activities.

Jan was a gifted pianist, playing mostly by ear. She accompanied many Sunday School and Hull Christian students’ singing over the years. In addition to teaching, she assisted Dwight with photography, capturing countless weddings, seniors, engagements and families. She had a great eye for detail and made everyone feel at ease. Jan also enjoyed gardening; raising beautiful roses, irises, zinnias and countless other varieties of plants and flowers. Dwight passed away on September 9, 2023, in Sioux Center, after more than 55 years of marriage.

She had a knack for seeing people’s needs. Her elderly neighbor ladies were always well attended by her. She visited them routinely and even helped one get her driver’s license after not having one for sixty years. She was energetic and worked hard at everything she did.

Left to cherish her memory are a daughter and her husband, Jill and Ben Christoffels, of Okoboji; a son and his wife, Nathan and Chanda Bakker, of Hull; six grandchildren, Danielle, Lauren and Alexa Christoffels; and Kyra, Japen and Jasmine Bakker; a brother and his wife, Eldon and Mary Kay Dyk, of Tucson, Arizona; a sister-in-law, Marli Dyk, of Spokane, Washington; four brothers-in-law and their wives, Randy and Donna Bakker, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Mark and Teresa Bakker, of Urbandale; Jon and Corrine Bakker, of Overland Park, Kansas; and John and Darla Oostendorp, of Zeeland, Michigan.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Bob Dyk, and a sister-in-law, Connie Dyk.

Memorials will be given to the Hull Christian School.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.