BAKKEN, Russell G. 1912-2000

FIELD, BAKKEN, GESELL, COLLINS

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 9/28/2010 at 09:06:21

Decorah Journal, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000

Russell G. Bakken

Russell G. Bakken, 88, of Ridgeway, died Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2000, at the Aase Haugen Home following an extended illness.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, Nov. 4, at 11 a.m., at Peace Lutheran Church in Ridgeway with the Revs. Phillip and Ginny Olson officiating.

Martha Olson will be the organist. Honorary bearers will be his 11 grandchildren.

Private family interment will be at the Lincoln Cemetery, rural Ridgeway. The Fjelstul Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Russell was born April 2, 1912, in Ridgeway, the son of John W. and Sophia (Field) Bakken. He attended high school in Preston, Minn., and one year of college at Luther College.

He was married to Ruth S. Gesell in 1943 in Kansas City, Mo. She was the daughter of John and Anna Gesell, both deceased.

Russell lived in Preston, Minn., Calmar and Ridgeway. He was a farmer for many years.

He was the mayor of Ridgeway for 16 years, a Ridgeway volunteer fireman for 32 years, with 18 as chief. He sang for many weddings and funerals, and was a school bus driver for 32 years.

He belonged to Peace Lutheran Church and enjoyed singing.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth; one daughter, Sarah and Tom Collins of New Hampton; two sons, David and Kathy Bakken of Decorah, and Roderick and Nancy Bakke of Ames; 11 grandchildren, Hans Bakken, Heidi Bakken, Kara Clements, Lars Bakken, Andy Bakken, Anna Bakken, Sean Bakken, Sabrina Nash, Sara Bakken, Kyle Collins and Jordan Collins; and one brother, Clifford Bakken of Decorah.

Russell Bakken was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Howard Bakken.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.