Johanna Geertruida (Van Petten) Bakker

In Loving Memory of

Johanna G. Bakker

December 11, 1927 – July 4, 2025

It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, Johanna Bakker, who passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025, at the age of 97.

Born in 1927 in Ambarawa, Indonesia, the daughter of Willem and Soepina Van Petten. Johanna lived a remarkable and resilient life that spanned continents and generations. After spending time in the Netherlands, she eventually immigrated to the United States, where she and her husband, Paul Bakker, and settled in Chicago to raise their three daughters. A hardworking and devoted woman, she built a career with Avon in Chicago, where she proudly worked for over 30 years.

Later in life, Johanna moved to Petoskey, Michigan, to be closer to her family. There, she enjoyed a quieter life filled with the things she loved most: cooking for her loved ones, reading her favorite books, and spending cherished time visiting with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed  reading, walking, thrift stores, family, flowers, plants and old movies; “The Bistro” was her favorite restaurant and loved lunch with her daughters.

Johanna is survived by her daughter Patricia “Bob” Crosser; grandchildren Janis (Steve) Darling, Jacob (Bianca) Leadabrand, Jesse Leadabrand and Paulina Borg McCullough; great grandchildren Danial and Nicholas Darling, Chloe, Caitlyn, Cara Leadabrand, Jacob, Jr., Ayden, Rhythm Leadabrand and Ellenore McCullough; and brother Willem (Jeannet) Van Petten and numerous family members in the Netherlands.

Johanna will be remembered for her strength, warmth, and unwavering dedication to her family. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched with her kindness, determination, and quiet grace.