Richard E. Bakken

Richard E. "Dick" Bakken, 88, of La Crosse, passed away Sunday December 28, 2014 at the Bethany St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse. He was born September 14, 1926 to Elmer and Minnie (Krause) Bakken. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chaseburg. In 1952, he married Donna Mae Gerth at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crosse. The couple farmed on the family home farm near Genoa. They were blessed with two sons, Richard, Jr. and James. Dick served as a supervisor for over ten years on the Bergen Township Board and also one term on the Vernon County Board of Supervisors.

Survivors include his wife, Donna; sons Richard, Jr. (Irene) of Tomah and James (Debra) of St. Peter, MN; six grandchildren, Richard III, Aleah (Adam) Friemark, Jonathan (Joy), Benjamin (Brooke), Jeremy and Donna; four great-grandchildren, Jack, Laura, and Tommy Friemark and Silas Bakken; a brother Edward Bakken of La Crosse and many nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Louise Manke and Esther Sheehy.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday January 3, 2014 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crosse. Rev. Jonathan Rimmert will officiate with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery in La Crosse. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Memorials may be given to Grace Ev. Lutheran Church or Luther High School.