David Henry Bakken

David “Dave” Henry Bakken, age 86, passed away on May 21, 2021 in Elk River, Minnesota.

Dave was born in Madison, MN on April 30, 1935 to Henry and Ella (Richardson) Bakken. He was the eldest of three children.

Dave served in the United States Navy from 1953 – 1957 as an electrician on the USS Des Moines stationed mainly in the Mediterranean and visited 23 countries during enlistment.

Dave’s friend, Delbert Mahoney introduced him to JoAnn Lafferty on a trip to Aitkin.  The couple married in August of 1960 and had two children, Michael and Brenda.  They celebrated 54 years of marriage prior to Jo’s passing in 2015.

Dave attended college in Huron, South Dakota while working as an overnight hotel clerk.  Money was tight, but they fondly recalled playing penny poker and seeing how many meals they could make with hamburger during those years in the little house by the airport.

Dave began working at Twin City Federal Savings and Loan in 1963 (later TCF Bank) in Minneapolis, where he would become a Vice President.  He retired in 1990, but stayed active by working part time for Hollydale Golf Course in Plymouth and Cub Foods in Brooklyn Park.

The Bakken family purchased a cabin near Aitkin, Minnesota in 1973 and it quickly became their happy place.  Dave enjoyed fishing, playing golf, and spending time with family and friends.  He was the waterskiing instructor for his many nieces, nephews, friends, and family, and he loved a wicked game of croquet on an obstacle-filled back yard course.

Dave loved candy bars, ice cream, and chips, although he never seemed to gain a pound.  He liked to make home-made pizza and share his candy stash with the grandkids.

In recent years, Dave and Jo wintered in Apache Junction, AZ spending time with friends, playing golf at Snake Hole, and taking casino trips. They spent the summers with family at the cabin.

In 2012, Dave was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.  After successful treatment at the University of MN Medical Center, he was blessed with nine more cancer-free years.  Many thanks to Dr. Gautam JHA, and all of the other professionals involved with his healthcare journey.

Dave is survived by his son, Michael (Lisa) Bakken; his daughter, Brenda (Michael) Polis; grandchildren, Brianna, Tara, Andrea (Austin), Noelle, and Nicholas; his sister, Mary Jo Andrew; and his sister-in-law, Marlys Bakken. Dave is preceded in death by his spouse, JoAnn; parents, Henry and Ella Bakken; and his brother, Paul Bakken.

A celebration of life will take place at a later date. Private interment Lord of Life Columbarium.