Thief River Falls – Marlys Bakken, 66, passed away at her home on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014 at Faith Lutheran Brethren Church, Thief River Falls, with Rev. John Volker PhD., officiating. Casket bearers include Ryan Bakken, Kevin Bakken, Milton Bakken, Justen Burger, Andy Poole and Rollie Burger. Honorary casket bearers include Ben Poole, Jacob Burger and Logan Burger. Interment will follow at Westaker Cemetery, rural Newfolden.
Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church.
Marlys LaRae Ann Bakken was born Oct. 2, 1947, the daughter of Andor and Myrtle (Haugen) Hjelle at Warren. She was raised at Warren for a time, Holt, and graduated from Newfolden, in 1965. Marlys was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She worked as a nursing assistant in Duluth for a short time. She returned to Thief River Falls, where she worked for a short time at Arctic Cat and then went to work at Oakland Park Nursing home where she retired after 25 years of nursing.
On Aug. 8, 1970, she was united in marriage to Melville Bakken at Wastaker Lutheran Church in Newfolden. The couple made their home in Thief River Falls where they raised their three daughters. Marlys loved visiting with her family, especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed traveling to the Cities visiting her two daughters. She loved cooking, baking and canning. She was a Sunday school teacher for many years. Marlys found great joy in making other people happy, always willing to lend a helping hand, and give of herself.
She is survived by her husband Melville of 44 years; daughters Angela Marie Poole of Minnetonka; Melanie LaVerne (Rollie) Burger of Lindstrom, and Wendy Gale Bakken of Thief River Falls; grandchildren Justen Burger, Andrew Poole, Benjamin Poole, Jacob Burger and Logan Burger; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Marlys is preceded in death by her parents, and sisters Lois Hjelle and LaVerne Bolin.
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Marlys Bakken, 66
