Pete Baarda

Pete Baarda was born in Bellflower, California, on December 31, 1941.  He passed away on April 12, 2023, in Nampa, Idaho. Pete attended Bellflower Christian School until he was sixteen years of age.  Then in 1958, he moved with his parents to Nampa, Idaho, where they bought land, built a house, barns, and corrals to start their dairy business.  Pete bought the dairy from his parents, and over the years expanded it. Throughout the years, he purchased more land so that he could grow corn and grain to feed his cows.  Pete worked hard and was successful. Pete was a very good bookkeeper.  He kept neat ledgers and saved most of his receipts and statements from when the farm began.

From his records, we know that the average heifer he bought in 1964 cost $255. Bull calves sold for approximately $23.00 and stamps cost 5 cents.  His address was just Route 1.  While there were many changes, his phone number stayed the same. Pete has always had a love for animals and had many cats and dogs as pets throughout his adult life.

Starting in 2003, Pete had some severe health issues and eventually had to have both legs amputated.  This situation was life changing, yet, he didn’t let it slow him down.  Daily Pete drove all over the Valley buying hay, running farm errands, and looking at other farms. In 2020, he sold his dairy cows, but with the help of faithful farmhands, he continued to farm his land.

Pete is survived by 13 nieces and nephews as well as a number of cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dave and Celia Baarda; his sisters, Dora (Evert) Jansen van Beek from Nampa, Idaho,  Grace (Harold) Saarloos from California and Martha (Gerald) Twamley from California; a brother, Otto Baarda from California.

A special thank you to his wonderful and loyal employees Sergio and Javier.  They have done a tremendous job working on the farm, driving him around, and taking exceptional care of his daily needs.

His family wants to thank all of the wonderful staff at the Orchards of Cascadia in Nampa for the compassionate and great care that Pete received during the last few months of his life.

A Memorial Service with a lunch to follow will be held on

Saturday, May 6, at 10:30 a.m. at the Franklin Community Church,

8499 US Hwy 20 in Nampa, Idaho. An online guest book is avaiable at www.nampafuneralhome.com

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