Twyla Bajema

Larchwood, IA Twyla Jean Bajema, age 52, of Larchwood, IA, died Monday, August 22, 2011, at her home after an eight month battle with brain cancer. At her time of death, she was home surrounded by family. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Friday, August 26th at the Apostolic Christian Church in Lester, IA. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation, with family present, will be Thursday, August 25th from 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. and again from 5:30 " 8:00 p.m. at the Apostolic Christian Fellowship Hall in Lester. Twyla Jean Bajema was born September 19, 1958, in Rock Rapids, IA to Fredrick Jr. and Estellyn (Banwart) Metzger. She was raised on a farm near Lester, IA, and graduated from West Lyon Community School in 1977. On June 3, 1977, Twyla was united in marriage to Rod Bajema on her parent's farm. To this union five children were born. Twyla and Rod began their lives together in Hills, MN. They later moved to what is now their family farm of 34 years just outside of Larchwood, IA. Twyla was a homemaker; she enjoyed helping her husband on the farm and raising their children together. She also worked for several years at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills and later provided in home daycare. Twyla especially enjoyed spending time with her family and working outside in her garden and flower beds. She had a deep faith in God and became a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in 1978. This past Monday, at the age of 52, Twyla passed away with her family by her side. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Twyla is survived by her husband, Rod; her four daughters, Tami (Dave) Lanz of Wapello, IA, Heidi (Ryan) Frank of Oakville, IA, Wendi (Lance) Crawford of Andover, MN, Kelli (Bryce) Kolander of Sioux Falls, SD; and one son, Micah Bajema of Larchwood, IA; 10 grandchildren; mother, Estellyn Metzger of Lester, IA; brothers, Tom (Deb) Metzger of Larchwood, Mark (Audrey) Metzger of Larchwood, and Kevin (Dawn) Metzger of Rock Rapids, IA; sisters, Beth (Dennis) Hartter of Sabetha, KS, Diane (Tedd) Larson of Hills, MN, and Luann (Aaron) Schmidgall of Mediapolis, IA; many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her father, Fredrick Metzger Jr.