John Baas

John Baas, age 64, of Sioux Center, Iowa passed away Monday, July 21, 2025 at his home in Sioux Center.

Visitation will take place Friday, July 25th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Eckardt Lounge located at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa.

A celebration of life will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, July 26, 2025 at First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center with Pastors Marv Hofman and Travis Else, officiating.  The Celebration of Life  may be viewed on the church's website.

The family requests memorial donations be directed to:

The Hope Fund at Dordt University, a fund for students in need that John was instrumental in establishing.

The Gerald and Sue Baas Family Scholarship, an endowed family scholarship.

The Halo House Foundation www.halohousefoundation.org/ways-to-donate a nonprofit, affordable housing accommodation, for individuals with blood cancers, seeking treatment at MD Anderson, in Houston, TX.

John Martin Baas, age 64, of Sioux Center, IA, met his Lord and Savior face to face on July 21, after a 7-month illness with leukemia.

John was born in Traverse City, MI, in 1960, to Gerald and Sue Baas. The family moved to Racine, WI where he grew up and attended Racine Christian School and Case High School; he earned a bachelor’s degree from Calvin University and an MBA from Grand Valley State University.

John was the loving and devoted husband of 37 years to Beth (Vanden Akker) Baas; the proud and thankful father of their 4 children, Sam (Eliza), Leah, Stephen, and Lauren. In his 50’s, John would come to love Iver and Emily Mettler as children, and Jovi and Ruthie Mettler as grandchildren.

John was devoted to his family; he loved them well and selflessly. He was a passionate sports fan, golfer, beekeeper, gardener, and a voracious reader, but John was most passionate about his faith. He was thankful for the honor of serving as Vice President for Advancement at Dordt University, where his love for the Lord and the advancement of God’s Kingdom were intertwined with his daily work and the university’s mission. John’s 7-month illness with leukemia would become an opportunity for him to give witness to his faith in God and his confidence in God’s will for his life. Throughout his illness, John continued to confess, “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain”.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Sue Baas. Those left to grieve his absence in their daily lives include his wife Beth; children Sam (Eliza), Leah, Stephen, Lauren; Emily and Iver Mettler, and their children Jovi and Ruthie Mettler; parents-in-law, Stuart and Deborah Vanden Akker; siblings Mary (Marvin) Hofman, Jane (Craig) Friesema, Jim (Stephanie) Baas, Steve (MaryJo) Baas, Dan Baas, Kurt (Jamie) Vanden Akker, Barb (Seth) Van Essen Delft; and many nieces and nephews.

John’s family is grateful for the overwhelming expressions of love and support from family, friends, colleagues, and community members throughout his 7-month illness. They covet your prayers in the days and weeks ahead and continue to trust in the unfailing goodness of God.

“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job 1:2