Nina Bakke – Obit

Nina Bakke, 87, of Red Lake Falls, MN passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at  Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral service for Nina will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, March 24, 2023, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Reverend Jonathan Dodson officiating. Burial will be held at the Fargo ND Veterans Cemetery on Friday, March 24, 2023, at 2:00 PM.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Nina Marie Bakke was born on September 27, 1935, at Grano, ND daughter of Otto and Emma (Isaacson) Paulson. She was raised in Strandquist, MN, and attended school in Standquist graduating in 1953. Nina worked several service jobs in the area.

After one week of dating, she was united in marriage to Harvey Bakke on December 28, 1955, at Karlstad, MN. The couple lived in Cheyenne WY, Rantoul Ill, Kenitra Morocco, Albuquerque NM, and back again to Illinois. Following Harvey’s retirement from the Air Force they moved to Red Lake Falls in October 1971 where they have since resided.

Nina worked at the Barn Cafe, St. John’s Hospital in Red Lake Falls and as a Special Education aide at the elementary school, retiring in 1996.

Nina enjoyed golfing, bowling, crocheting, painting, collecting dolls, composing, and playing music. She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church and the Red Hat Society.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her Grandchildren creating crafts, painting projects, making special snacks, and eating them with her grandkids and great-grandkids.

Nina is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Harvey of Red Lake Falls, MN; children Heidi (Terry) Rewertz of Red Lake Falls, MN, Tami (Jamie) Garvin of Wagener, SC and Kevin (Meg) Bakke of Brookings, SD; grandchildren Benjamin (Rachael) Largis, Matthew (Lindsey) Largis, Justin (Amy) Rewertz, Jenea (Sajid) Targui,  Zachary Garvin, Jacob (Kirby Williams) Garvin, Seth (Priscilla) Garvin, Erin (Patrick Shea) Bakke, and Adam Bakke; great-grandchildren Kiera (Kurt Larson) Largis, Aubree Largis, Chloe Largis, Brooklyn Lerol, Braxton Largis, Berkleigh Largis, Amira Targui, Omar Targui, Ja’Lasyiana Williams, Kaley Garvin, Mya Garvin, Isaiah Garvin, Ava Garvin, Riley Jo Garvin, Seth Jr. “SJ” Garvin, Kaiden Buzzanga; one great-great-granddaughter “baby Larson” to be born in April of 2023.  She is also survived by a brother Darrold (Marlene) Paulson of Fairfield, CA; Sisters-in-law Lois (Vern) Berglin, Coreen Paulson, Genevieve Paulson, Linda Bakke, and Elizabeth Bakke and Brother-in-law Will Bakke, along with several nieces and nephews.

Nina is preceded in death by her parents Otto and Emma Paulson, siblings Thelma (Maurice) Hoffos, Wallace (Vivian) Paulson, Royce (Leona) Paulson, Lester Paulson, Maurice Paulson, Annette (Alton) Henrickson; brothers and sisters-in-law Judy Bakke, Keith (June) Bakke, Marilyn (Bert) Schaefer, Donovan Bakke, Douglas Bakke.

Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com