Vera Bakker

Vera Bakker

1933-2017

Vera Mae Ogden Bakker was born in Logan, Utah on March 7, 1933, the first child of James A. Ogden and Bertie Mae Ormond.  She grew up in Ogden and graduated from Ogden High School.  Vera graduated from Utah State University in 1955 with a degree in elementary education.

In 1955 she married George Lawrence Malan.  They had three children and were later divorced.  She married Noel Laker Cook in 1963.  They had two children and were later divorced.  In 1977 Vera married John Meijert Bakker.

Vera taught elementary school for 25 years in Weber and Davis Counties.  She lived in Layton for several years, moving to West Bountiful in 2000.  She was a devoted member of the LDS Church, serving in many ward and stake positions.

After retirement, Vera had poems, children’s short stories, and picture books published throughout the country, and worked for a time as a correspondent for the Davis Clipper.  She was active in the state writers’ organizations, having served as president of the League of Utah Writers, Utah State Poetry Society and Utah Branch of the National League of American Pen Women.  Vera also loved to paint, and served on the board of directors for the Bountiful/Davis Arts Center.   She also served on the Davis County Council of Aging.

Vera’s parents, sister and spouse preceded her in death.  She is survived by two brothers Wallace (Virginia) Ogden and Tom (Jeannie) Ogden; her five children, Alan (Charmaine) Malan, Vincent Malan, Bonnie (Michael) Sorenson, Lon (Shauna) Cook and Mark (Mindy) Cook; 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage Place Assisted Living Center and Utah Home Health and Hospice for their loving care; they were her extended family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thurs. May 25, 2017 at the West Bountiful 3rd Ward Chapel, 1750 N. 900 W.  Friends may visit family Wed. May 24th from 6-8 pm at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E. and Thurs. from 9:30-10:30 am at the Church prior to services.  Interment at Centerville City Cemetery.