Gerald Duane Baas

Gerald Baas RACINE-Gerald Duane Baas, 87, was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on January 10, 2014. Gerald was born June 20, 1926 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to John and Nellie Baas. After proudly serving in the Army Air Corps during WWII, he attended Calvin College and married Sue Galema in Grand Rapids on August 17, 1951. They lived in Detroit and Traverse City, Michigan, before making their home in Racine in 1965. He was employed by Abbott Laboratories for 35 years until his retirement in 1986. Gerald was a dedicated member of the Racine Christian Reformed Church where he served several terms on the church council. He also was an enthusiastic supporter of the Racine Christian School, where he served on the board, and of Christian education at all levels, also serving on the Board of Calvin Theological Seminary. Gerald loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, creating extra special memories during summer vacations at Spider Lake in Traverse City, Michigan and in winters at their condo in Englewood, Florida. Gerald is survived by his children, Mary (Marv) Hofman of Holland, MI, Jane (Craig) Friesema of Racine, John (Beth) Baas of Sioux Center, Iowa, Jim (Stephanie) Baas of Hudsonville, MI, Steve (Mary Jo) Baas of Brookfield, WI, and Dan Baas of Grand Rapids, MI. He is further survived by grandchildren, Tim (Kristen) Hofman, Peter Hofman, Bethany (Ryan) Wolter, Jon (Julie) Hofman, Sarah Hofman, Mike (Lori) Friesema, Jill (Bill) Ties, Liz (Kiel) Hoek, David Friesema, Sam, Leah, Stephen, Lauren, Abby, Rebekah and Lydia Baas, in addition to his 17th grandchild expected this April. Gerald is also survived by nine great grandchildren and one sister, Beth (Bill) Carpenter in addition to nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends in Racine and Florida. He was preceded in death by his wife Sue; brothers, Roland and Ralph Baas and sister, Ardene Howard. Funeral services will be held at Racine Christian Reformed Church, 900 Illinois St. on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Doug Aldrink officiating. Gerald will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Sturino Funeral Home on Monday evening from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. and will continue at church on Tuesday from 10:15 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Gerald in a special way may direct memorials to the Racine Christian School Endowment Fund, the Gerald and Sue Baas Family Scholarship at Dordt College, 498 4th Ave. NE Sioux Center, Iowa, 51250 or Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, PO Box 636, Port Washington, WI 53074. The entire Baas family offers special thanks to the staff and volunteers at Hospice AllianceHospice House in Racine for their loving and compassionate care of our Dad and Grandpa in his final days of life.

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Gerald Duane Baas

June 20, 1926 - January 10, 2014