10/09/2026
Ralph Jaarsma
Ralph Jaarsma was born in Pella on September 24, 1936, to Frank and Celia (Keuning) Jaarsma. He and his older siblings, Bernace and Howard, spent many hours helping their parents at the family bakery, which had been started by their grandparents, Harmen and Bertha Jaarsma. In high school, Ralph reported on Pella High sports for the Pelladium and managed the boys’ basketball team. His graduating class of ’54 stayed close and enjoyed many adventures together throughout the years. After high school, Ralph worked at the bakery for a year to earn money for college. He then began attending Central College in Pella while continuing to work full time at the bakery.
After two years at Central, Ralph transferred to the University of Iowa, where he graduated in 1959 with a degree in political science. He was a devoted Hawkeye fan, even following the team to the 1959 Rose Bowl. After graduation, he served in the Iowa National Guard for six years while continuing to work in the family business.
While at Central, Ralph was “caught” by Elaine Nagel for a Sadie Hawkins party. On June 14, 1961, they were married and moved into their apartment above what is now Smokey Row in Pella. Their family grew with the birth of three daughters: Carolyn, Kristi, and Lisa. Over the years, they expanded their family by hosting more than 15 international students in their home. Many people came to think of Ralph and Elaine as second parents. Even more (especially Central students and church friends) have fond memories of Sunday dinners with Ralph serving dessert (usually pie and ice cream) from the head of the table. His steady presence and gentle teasing made everyone feel welcomed and loved.
During the 1960s, Ralph served as president of the Pella Jaycees and then as president of the Pella Chamber of Commerce. At that time, community leaders were imagining ways to attract tourists to Pella in anticipation of the opening of Lake Red Rock. Ralph promoted the idea of adding Dutch fronts to businesses uptown and served on the Community Development Committee during the years when the framework for “Pella: A Touch of Holland” was being imagined and implemented.
After the 1973 bakery fire, Ralph and his brother, Howard, rebuilt the business and became partners in operating Jaarsma Bakery. Howard focused on the products, while Ralph focused on the business. Through intentional and clever marketing, Ralph helped make Dutch letters and Pella synonymous. When he retired in 2003, his daughter Kristi and son-in-law Dave continued the family legacy.
Ralph began selling Dutch imports and lace at the bakery in the 1960s. By the late 1970s, the business had expanded enough to launch a new venture, De Pelikaan, a Dutch import shop that he and Elaine ran through the first decade of this century. Ralph had a passion for antiques, especially Dutch items. He loved Dutch pottery and built an extensive collection. Eventually, his collection outgrew the space he had available, so he and Elaine opened the Red Ribbon Antique Mall in 1990. By 2000, he had become an appraiser specializing in Dutch antiques for Schroeder’s Antiques Price Guide.
Ralph also devoted himself to serving his community and church. He helped lead the Pella Historical Society, the Pella Preservation Trust (then known as the Historic Pella Trust), and the local Lions club. At First Reformed Church in Pella, Ralph served as a deacon and elder and taught youth Sunday school briefly. He and Elaine later joined Second Reformed Church.
In addition to all of his hard work at the bakery and in the community, Ralph delighted in his family. His children and grandchildren will always remember Papa’s love and teasing. He and Elaine traveled extensively throughout their marriage and passed the travel bug on to their children and grandchildren. Their trips always included stops at bakeries and antique stores!
During Tulip Time 2004, Ralph suffered a massive stroke that left his right side paralyzed and made speech a challenge. Anyone who knew Ralph knew he would never let that stop him. Through several more setbacks, he continued to fight to recover and pushed himself to improve every day, right up until the end. He never complained. His quiet determination, stubborn self-sufficiency, and positive disposition inspired all who knew him.
Ralph celebrated his 90th birthday just two weeks before his death. Thanks to Elaine’s loving care and the support of family, he was able to live at home until the end. For years, Card Club and Life Group friends came to the house every other week, bringing life and love into his world. Nothing brightened his day more than visits from his grandchildren, their children, and their pets. Ralph will long be remembered for his kindness, his quiet love and leadership, and the twinkle in his eyes.
Ralph was preceded in death by his daughter, Carolyn Jaarsma Lubbers, his parents Frank and Celia (Keuning) Jaarsma, and his siblings and their spouses: Howard and Ethel Jaarsma and Bernace and Harold Johnson.
Left to cherish his memory and continue his legacy are his wife, daughters and spouses, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his inlaws, John and Betty (Nagel) Sikkink, nieces and nephews on both sides, and many international “children.”
Ralph’s Family:
Elaine (Nagel) Jaarsma
the late Carolyn and Randal Lubbers (Cristina Thomas)
John and Stephanie (Knorr) Lubbers
Lorelei
Elyse and Michael Otten
Avery
Luke and Gabby (Kimm) Lubbers
Kristi and Dave Balk
Alli Balk
Aric and Ellen (Murphy) Balk
Emilia, Oliver
Lisa and Brian Zylstra
Andrew Zylstra and fiancée Melissa Sharkey
Brooklyn Sharkey
Matthew Zylstra
Miriam Quataert (Jeroen Alberts), Dutch “Daughter”
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Pella or the Pella Historical Society.
The funeral service will be livestreamed through the church's website.
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