Ethel Mae Firmage Bakka Obituary 1930-2007

RIVERTON - Funeral services for Ethel M. Bakka, 78, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Bishop Kim McKinnon officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Viewing will take place today from 7 to 8 p.m., at Davis Funeral Home and from 1 to 2 p.m., Wednesday in the Relief Society Room of the church. She died Jan. 27, 2007, at the Federal Heights Rehabilitation Center in Salt Lake City. She was born Aug. 13, 1930, to John William Firmage and Florence (Cook) Firmage in Rock Springs. She graduated from Rock Springs High School in 1948. She married August E. Bakka on Jan. 4, 1948, in Colorado Springs. The marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on Sept. 25, 1967. They moved to Riverton from Rock Springs in 1958. She was very active in the church, having been president of the Relief Society, teaching Sunday classes for many years and as counselor in the presidency of the young women's organization. She also participated in civic organizations such as the Downtowners Association, where she was past president; was also past president of the Hospital Auxiliary and active in numerous other civic endeavors. She loved to fish, backpack in the Wind River Range, enjoyed various crafts and enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was employed by Safeway as a bookkeeper for 12 years; managed the family business, Bakka Floor Covering, for 18 years; worked at Wyoming National Bank for three years and managed Books and Briar for 10 years until she retired. Survivors include her husband, "Gus," of Riverton; daughters, Kathy Pease of Rapid City, S.D., Sandy K., Cindy L., and Sherri L.; eight grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, a sister, Florence Van Valkenburg and her husband of Rock Springs and several nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, a grandson and a great-granddaughter. Memorials may be given to the Riverton Senior Center, in care of Davis Funeral Home, 2203 W. Main, Riverton, 82501. Services are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.

1940 United States Census John William and Florence Cook Firmage Family

Name: Florence Firmage Age: 39 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1901 Gender: Female Race: White Birthplace: England Marital Status: Married Relation to Head of House: Wife Home in 1940: Rock Springs, Sweetwater, Wyoming Map of Home in 1940: View Map Street: 9th Street House Number: 1087 Inferred Residence in 1935: Rock Springs, Sweetwater, Wyoming Residence in 1935: Same House Citizenship: Naturalized Sheet Number: 16A Attended School or College: No Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 7th grade Weeks Worked in 1939: 0 Income: 0 Income Other Sources: No Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age John Firmage 45 Florence Firmage 39 Ester Firmage 18 Ethel M Firmage 11 Florence J Firmage 3

Florence Jean Firmage Van Valkenburg Headstone

Florence Jean Firmage Van Valkenburg Cemetery

Florence Jean Firmage Van Valkenburg Funeral

Obituary Florence Jean Firmage Van Valkenburg

On April 9, 2012 Grandma Van Valkenburg passed away. We were able to attend her funeral which was sad, yet beautiful. There was a peaceful spirit that attended the entire proceedings. We love you Grandma!

Rock Springs - Florence Jean Firmage Van Valkenburg, 75, of Rock Springs died Monday April 9, 2012 at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County following a lengthy illness. She was a life-long resident of Rock Springs. She was born August 26, 1936 in Rock Springs, the daughter of John William and Florence Cook Firmage. She was the fourth of four daughters. She married Howard Ray Van Valkenburg on July 4, 1954 in Rock Springs. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on October 16, 1967. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many callings in the church including Primary, Sunday School, Young Women and Relief Society. She also served in the Vernal Utah LDS Temple for twelve years. She had been employed for many years as a secretary for Sweetwater School District #1. Her interest included camping, backpacking, reading, family history, and especially spending time with her family and friends. Survivors include her husband of nearly 58 years, Howard Ray Van Valkenburg of Rock Springs; three daughters, Debra Kay Pence and husband Gary of Waukee, Iowa, Rae Lynn Marostica and husband Marty of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and Gayle Kendall of Rock Springs; brother-in-law Gus Bakka; 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Janet PcPhie and husband Edward, Esther Woodyatt and husband Don, and Ethel Mae Bakka. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Rock Springs LDS Stake Center, 2055 Edgar St., Rock Springs. Friends may call 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, April 13, 2012 at Fox Funeral Home, 2800 Commercial Way, Rock Springs and one hour prior to the services Saturday at the church. Interment will take place in the Rock Springs Municipal Cemetery, Rock Springs.

Florence Jean Firmage

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2007! We were glad to spend some time with the VanValkenburg's at Christmastime. It was a rare chance for Rylie and Corteney to see their great-grandparents. This picture was taken at the Walters home in Alpine, Utah.



We had a great time getting together at Annie's apartment in Provo, Utah. We spent the night laughing and having a great time together.