Dale E. (age 78), and Evelyn “Evie” Baarda (age 76) of Pella died in a traffic accident in Texas on Jan. 17, 2025.
Visitation with the family will be 3-6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 2, at Trinity Church, 407 Franklin Street, Pella. Memorial service will be 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 3, at Trinity Church, Pella, followed by inurnment in Oakwood Cemetery, Pella. Memorials have been designated for Trinity Church Missions in Pella and His Hands Ministries, Inc., PO Box 11284, Penitas, TX 78576.
Dale Eugene Baarda was born June 3, 1946, to Fred and Frances (Harthoorn) Baarda in Newton.
Following high school graduation in 1965, Dale enlisted in the Navy Reserves in September 1965, spending two years in active duty, including Vietnam. He attained the rank of Seaman and was honorably discharged in September 1970. Dale went on to serve 21 years with the Pella Police Reserves. Dale worked for Vermeer Manufacturing for 42 years before retiring in June 2015.
Evelyn “Evie” Joyce Baarda was born Feb. 27, 1948, to Marion and Elizabeth (Van Schevikhoven) Poortinga in Pella.
Following high school graduation, Evie worked as a bookkeeper for various businesses around Pella for more than 50 years, before retiring in 2018.
Dale and Evie met while driving around the Pella square after Sunday night church services. They were united in marriage on June 10, 1966, and later blessed with two sons Darin and Eric.
Dale and Evie loved camping, riding their motorcycle, and traveling together. They regularly traveled to Branson and Okoboji. Their adventures also took them to many places including South Dakota, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Yellowstone National Park, the Appalachian Mountains, Alaska, France, and the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. They devoted their life to God and were passionate about their missionary work with several winters being spent in southern Texas. As part of their missionary work, Evie crocheted more than 5,000 baby gifts that went to children in Honduras, Haiti, Mexico, and Africa. Dale distributed clothing to the locals along with assisting in construction and electrical projects. They were very competitive and loved going on fishing excursions, playing miniature golf, and playing cards. When they weren’t traveling, they enjoyed spending time with their sons and grandchildren.
Those left to cherish their memory are their sons: Darin (Lisa) Baarda of Des Moines and Eric Baarda of Clive; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
They are also survived by Evie’s siblings: Melvin (Karen) Poortinga, Nancy (Clarence) Spoelstra, Fran Poortinga, Phyllis Ramer, and Sharon (Dave) Steenhoek; along with many nieces and nephews.
Dale and Evie were preceded in death by their parents Marion and Elizabeth Poortinga and Fred and Frances Baarda, granddaughter Reagan Elizabeth Baarda, Evie’s brother Duane Poortinga, and Dale’s sister Judy Maxine Baarda in infancy.
