Rev. Dean R. Bakken, 89

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 23, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clear Lake for Rev. Dean R. Bakken, age 89, who passed away Wednesday at his home. Rev. Josh Reber will officiate and burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services Monday at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Becker.

Dean was born July 4, 1935 in Austin, MN to Joseph and Evelyn (Clausen) Bakken. He was baptized at Grace Lutheran Church, Austin, Minnesota and confirmed at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, near Waltham, Minnesota. Dean attended elementary school in Austin, Elkton, Grand Meadow and Waltham, Minnesota and graduated from Hayfield High School, Hayfield, Minnesota, in 1953. After graduation he moved to Wichita, Kansas and started employment with Boeing Airplane Company. In September 1953 he enlisted in the USMC, completing basic training at Camp Pendleton, in San Diego, California. Dean took special training in amphibious tractors and was sent to Korea, in January, 1954. While serving in Korea he was injured during an alert at Freedom Bridge, trying to assist another amphibious tractor. He completed his tour of duty in Korea in 1955, and was sent to Hawaii for three months. He and a fellow Marine and long time friend Leeander (Andy) Pierskalla, escorted a prisoner back to the States and he was then stationed at Mare Island Naval Base, with the USMC guard unit. He was discharged from active duty, in September, 1956. On December 16, 1956, he and Dolores Ann Juhnke were united in marriage and they moved to Wichita, Kansas, where he resumed employment with the Boeing Airplane Company. Dean started taking college classes while working with Boeing, at Wichita Business College. In 1958 they moved back to Austin, Minnesota, and he worked part-time at various places and completed his college education at Austin Community College, in 1960. He was employed by IBM, in Rochester, Minnesota, his last position there being an Expeditor of foreign imports for the Traffic Department. During the years between 1958 and 1966, Dean and Dolores were blessed with the birth of their four children, Tamara 1958, Thomas 1959, Timothy 1963 and Tonya 1966.

In 1968, he felt called to serve our Lord, in the ministry of the ALC, attending Wartburg Theological Seminary, in Dubuque, Iowa. He graduated from the Seminary in May, 1971, and was ordained at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Kasson, Minnesota, and received a call to the Nielsville Parish, Nielsville, Minnesota, serving two congregations. Dean served there from June, 1971, to June, 1975. He then received a Call to Shelby, Montana, to serve, St. Luke’s ALC, and in June, 1975, Dean and Dolores moved with their family to Shelby, Montana. He served there from June 1975 to August, 1982. Dean then answered a call to serve the Golgatha Lutheran Parish, serving congregations in Golden Valley and Dodge, North Dakota. In September of 1986 he took a one year sabbatical, to refresh and study, in Helena, Montana. Dean returned to the active ministry in September, 1987, answering a call to serve the Zahl Lutheran Parish, at United Lutheran Church, in Zahl, and Faith Lutheran Church, rural Williston, North Dakota. In July, 1999, he retired, but continued to serve parishes in rural North Dakota, as interim Pastor for six more years. After retiring they moved to Amidon, North Dakota, but due to failing health, in July, 2007, he and Dolores decided to move to Becker, Minnesota, to be closer to family there and larger VA medical facilities.

Through the years Dean and the family owned horses and enjoyed trail and pleasure riding, and rodeos. Dean also team roped and loved going out gathering cattle and brandings with the local parishioners. He has been an avid reader all his life and had collected and disbursed several libraries and has a room full of books, covering theological books, history – one of his great passions, and USMC military life. He cherished his time with books and many tapes of old cowboy songs. He was active for many years in the VFW; American Legion; DAV (Disabled American Veterans); Marine Corps League; and First Marine Division Assn. Dean’s love for His Savior was very evident in his life and his love for his wife, Dolores, and family was always first and foremost in his life.

Survivors include his wife, Dolores; daughters and sons, Tamara Ann (Mark) Radunz, Thomas Dean (Cindy) Bakken, Timothy Henry (Dawn) Bakken, and Tonya Elizabeth (Shane) Duffy; brother and sister, Larry (Dee) Bakken and Charlotte DeRaad; grandchildren, Dustin Bakken, Nicole Bakken, Jordan Lambert, Meagan Bakken, Jessica (Ian) Klingfus, Aubrey (Evan) Oman, Dylan Duffy, Kaitlyn (Zachary) Wallace, and Theodore Bakken; great-grandchildren, Michaela, Jenna and Eli Bakken, Liam and Ellis Oman, Derek and Bennet Klingfus, and Willow Wallace. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Glenda Bakken; and brothers, Darrell and Duane Bakken.

Obituary, Guest Book and video tribute available online: www.williamsdingmann.com