Lois A. Bakker, 88, passed away of age-related causes on January 6, 2017, at Highland Court Memory Care in Port Angeles, surrounded by family members.
Lois was born on September 20, 1928, in Forks to Agatha “Aggie” (Krogh) and M.E. “Pat” Klahn, the second child of four children.
She attended Quillayute Valley High School in Forks, choosing to leave in her junior year to marry Francis “Frank” Peregrin, USN, who was stationed at Quillayute Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Washington. Their marriage, later ending in divorce, produced two children: Diana and Michael.
The Navy transferred Frank to California for a period of time. After his discharge, he and Lois moved back to Forks because Lois very much missed her small town, family, and friends. In Forks, she was employed for several years at both the Olympic Theatre and Olympic Pharmacy.
Lois remarried in 1965 to Donald Bakker, a Washington state wildlife agent stationed in Forks at that time. In 1965, Don was transferred to Port Angeles, where he and Lois made their home and Don finished his career, retiring from the state of Washington. Two daughters were born during that time: Nancy and Kimberly.
After Nancy and Kimberly were born, Lois spent the rest of her life as a wife and homemaker, raising Nancy and Kimberly, and then became their children’s day care provider. She very much enjoyed this time in her life, being a “loving, caring grandmother” to them.
When Don passed away in September of 1989, Lois joined Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County. Her decision was influenced by the wonderful care provided by Volunteer Hospice for Don during his terminal illness. She was very dedicated, volunteering every Thursday in the office, answering phones and writing thank-you notes to donors. She “retired” from VHCC after 21 years of continuous weekly volunteering.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, “Pat” and “Aggie.” She is survived by her brother, Darrel (Karlina) Klahn of Oregon City, Oregon; and twin sisters Arlene Goforth of Red Bluff, California, and Darlene (Jim) Croft of Bellevue, Washington.
She is also survived by her four children: Diana (Mark) Schildknecht of Sequim, Michael (Karen) Peregrin of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Nancy (Gary) Southard and Kimberly (Christopher) Burns of Port Angeles. Lois’ extended family includes 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
At her request, there will be no public service. A private family service and burial will be held at a later date in the Klahn area of the Forks Cemetery.
She had requested that any donations be made to Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County, 540 East Eighth Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
