Gary Bakerink

Gary L. Bakerink, 79, of Fontanelle, died Wednesday May 10, 2023, at his home in Fontanelle. Celebration of Life Services will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, at 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 at a later date with full military rites. The Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of the professional arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to the Gary Bakerink Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Gary Lee Bakerink was born Aug. 27, 1943, the son of Earl and Eliza (Kerns) Bakerink in Fontanelle. 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 Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. On Aug. 10, 1965, he was united in marriage to Paula Shilling in Texas. They were blessed with three daughters: Stephanie, Shannon and Casey before later divorcing.

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 and 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 intrigued many and many were 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 and sister-in-law, Charlene Bakerink.

He is survived by his three daughters: Stephanie (Craig) Johnson of Indianola, Shannon Hogan (Daniel Miller) of Fontanelle and Casey Bakerink of Fontanelle; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; brother, Ronnie Bakerink of Phoenix, Arizona; other relatives and friends.