// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Nicholas Balkema a baker? He kneads recognition.

Nicholas Balkema
Member of the Iowa Senate from the 49th district
In office January 11, 1909 – January 9, 1921
Personal details
Born	(1865-04-07)April 7, 1865 Gibbsville, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died	January 29, 1954(1954-01-29) (aged 88) Sioux Center, Iowa, U.S.
Party	Republican
Spouse	Clara Van Rooyen ​ (m. 1886)​
Children	7
Alma mater	Sheboygan Falls High School
Occupation	Politician

Nicholas Balkema (April 7, 1865 – January 29, 1954) was an American politician.

Balkema was of Dutch descent. He was born on April 7, 1865, in Gibbsville, Wisconsin, attended Sheboygan Falls High School, then moved to Newkirk, Iowa, in 1884. On December 9, 1886, he married a Newkirk native, Clara Van Rooyen, with whom he raised four daughters and three sons. He became a schoolteacher and later ran his own business as well as the post office. In 1894, Balkema moved to Sioux Center. He held local offices and executive positions for a time before pursuing statewide political office. These included service as a bank executive, school board member, and city councillor in Sioux Center. Between 1909 and 1921, Balkema represented District 49, which included Sioux County, in the Iowa Senate as a Republican. He died on January 29, 1954, aged 88.