Arlan Bakke

Arlan N. Bakke (Baa-key) age 74, of Staples/Motley passed away late Wednesday evening at Lakewood Health System. Memorial Services will be held at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Staples on Friday, June 18, 2010, at 1:00PM. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service at the Chapel. Interment will be in the Motley Public Cemetery. Pastor Barry Klein from the Church of Christ will be officiating the service.

Arlan Bakke was born on September 8, 1935 in Luverne, Minnesota, to Selmer and Mabel Carlson Bakke. Arlan graduated from High School in Edgerton, Minnesota. He worked as an Electrician for more than 50 years and retired from Bakke Electric in 2009. He was a member of the Lion's Club in Motley, Minnesota. Arlan was the founder, a volunteer fireman, and Fire Chief of the Scandia Valley Township Fire Department. Arlan went on to become a member of the Minnesota Inventors Congress and a recipient of the Inventors Congress Star Award. Fishing was his favorite pastime.

Arlan was preceded in death by his parents, Selmer and Mabel Bakke; brother, Duane Bakke; and his wife, Donna of 22 years.

Arlan is survived by children, Kim Bakke of Luverne, MN, Todd (Sheryl) Bakke, Crystal MN, Dave Bakke, Norwalk, CA, Lynn Bakke, Luverne, MN; step-children, Dan (Dawn Keck) Caron, Circle Pines, MN, Roxanne (Gordy) Gorton, White Bear Lake, MN., Ginger (Terry) Reitberger, Aurora, CO., Randy (Deb Vorwerk) Caron, Motley, MN, Denise Baxter, Ft. Meyers, FL., Terry Baxter, Oklee, MN; Sister, Arlene Johnson, Pearland TX., and special friend, Florence Grunwald of Motley. Numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.