Bakken, Gerald and Darla (Anderson)

(Darla Bakken)

Gerald and Darla Bakken

Gerald and Darla (Anderson) Bakken were born in Madison Twp., Winneshiek Co. and still reside there.  Darla attended the Knutson School for the first 3 years, finishing the other grades at the Tollefson School. Gerald attended the Tollefson School through the 8th grade.

The teacher stayed with a family in the area, walking to school in the morning and home again in the afternoon in all kinds of weather. In addition, the teacher did the janitorial work at the school. If the weather was really cold, she would go early to build the fire so the school house would be nice and warm for the children when they arrived. The children took turns going to the farm closest to the school in pairs and carrying water back. They would empty the water into a crock cooler so the water would stay “kind of cool" during the day.

After completing the 8th grade in the rural school, both Gerald and Darla went to high school in Decorah. Gerald graduated in 1951; Darla graduated in 1953. After graduation they both stayed home and helped their parents on their farms. Gerald's parents were Ole Henry (17 Jan 1901-11 Jul 1991) and Pauline (Baker) (3 Jan 1910-27 Mar 1989) Bakken. Leon Orlando (3 Sep 1905-29 Jun 1989) and Tinka (Haaland) (4 Mar 1906-16 Feb 1981) Anderson were Darla’s parents.

Gerald and Darla were married 2 Jan 1955 at the Madison Lutheran Church. They started farming on Ole's second farm which they bought from Ole and Pauline in 1968. Their farming operation has been general and has included raising beef cows, hogs, sheep and horses.

Gerald and Darla are life members of Madison Lutheran Church where they have held many offices. Their children and grandchildren also belong to Madison Lutheran.

Gerald’s grandparents were: Gustave Edgard (15 Jan 1866-23 May 1946) and Helena (Melaas) (2 Apr 1874-6 Dec 1911) Bakken and William Stewart (11 Jan 1887-15 Jun 1965) and Lula (Taylor) (19 Oct 1889-27 Jan 1961) Baker.

Darla's grandparents were: John O. (15 Oct 1851-20 Jul 1935) and Sylvia (Hopperstad) (24 Mar 1871-30 Oct 1959) Anderson and Andrew Haaland (5 Oct 1871-6 Feb 1908) and Anna Marie (Horgen) Haaland Skogen (22 Nov 1870-28 Jun 1961).

Bakken, Gustav E. and Helena (Melaas)

(Helen M. Erickson)

Gustav Bakken family

Gustav Edgar Bakken was born 15 Jan 1866 in Sec. 12, Madison Twp., the son of Ole and Ingeborg (Bakke) Bakken who came to America from Norway. He and his twin brother Benhart were baptized at Luther College across the river from the farm where they were born. He had a younger brother Ferdinand and 2 sisters, Isabel (Mrs. Hans) Josvanger and Clara. Gustav attended district school and later Breckenridge Institute in Decorah. He remained home with his parents until the age of 28 when he moved to a farm in Sec. 11, Madison Twp. Farming was done with horses which filled one half of his barn. Gustav also kept some faster horses for traveling to town and church. Later a steel-wheeled tractor was used on the farm, but he let the younger generation operate that. A new house was built in 1910.