Gary Bakerink, 79, of Fontanelle

Celebration of Life Services:  Will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at the Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle.  Food and fellowship will follow the service at the Olive Branch in Greenfield.  Burial will be in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, Iowa, at a later date with full military rites.  The Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of the professional arrangements.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Open Visitation:  Will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Family Visitation:  The family will greet friends on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Memorials:  May be directed to the Gary Bakerink Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

   Gary Lee Bakerink was born on August 27, 1943, the son of Earl and Eliza (Kerns) Bakerink in Fontanelle, Iowa.  He passed away on May 10, 2023, at his home in Fontanelle, Iowa, at the age of 79. 
   Gary attended school in Fontanelle and then went on to serve two years in the Civil Air Patrol before serving in the Air Force as a military policeman at the Ouffitt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. On August 10, 1965, he was united in marriage to Paula Shilling in Texas. They were blessed with three daughters: Stephanie, Shannon and Casey before divorcing later on.
   Through all his working years as a construction worker, Gary traveled vastly from Denver to Texas. Gary was an ambitious man who took pride in his work. Gary loved being busy and always found time for hobbies and interests outside of work. One of his great passions was motorcycles— there is likely not a road he hasn’t cruised down. He also enjoyed guns and making knives; he had quite the collection to show off. In addition to this he was also a talented artist making beautiful sketches and paintings of everything around him.
   Gary will be remembered as a caring soul with an infectious personality. His immense knowledge about everything under the sun had many intrigued by him and left impressed by his genuine nature.
   Gary touched countless lives throughout his journey, and he will always be remembered for his warm smile, kind attitude, and jovial nature.  
"I don't want a pickle, I just want to ride my motorcycle" 
   He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Zoey Van Eaton; brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Debbie Bakerink; sister-in-law, Charlene Bakerink. 
   He is survived by his three daughters, Stephanie Johnson (Craig) of Indianola, Shannon Hogan (Daniel Miller) of Fontanelle and Casey Bakerink of Fontanelle; seven grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; brother, Ronnie Bakerink of Phoenix, Arizona; other relatives and friends.