Kathleen Bakke

Kathleen Bakke died peacefully June 14, 2022 at Altru Hospital with her family at her side. 

Mary Kathleen Ronan was born December 29, 1932, to her loving parents, Roy and Margaret (Nagle) Ronan. Kathleen was raised on the family farm in Manvel, ND. She graduated from Manvel High School and went on to pursue a teaching career. She attended Valley City College, Mayville State College and the University of North Dakota. Kathleen taught in Orr and Wishek, ND. She met her future husband at the ND State Teacher’s Convention. She married Perry Bakke in 1954. They taught in Hoople, ND for two years and Moor Park, CA for one year. Missing friends and family they returned to North Dakota. In 1957 Perry and Kathleen welcomed their son, Brian Paul, and three years later twin daughters, Laurie Ann and Linda Kay. Perry and Kathleen moved to Thompson in 1963 and were active members of the community for many years. Kathleen moved to Grand Forks in 2019.

Kathleen was a dedicated teacher in the Grand Forks School system for 24 years before retiring in 1994.  She received her Master’s in Education degree from the University of North Dakota and was proud to be a member of Pi Lamba Theta.

Kathleen enjoyed traveling, playing bridge and the friends she had made in the many aspects of her life. Most important to Kathleen was always supporting the dreams of her family.

Kathleen is preceded in death by her husband, Perry; her son, Brian; parents, Roy and Maggie Ronan; sister, Annabelle (Montgomery); and brother, Tom.

She is survived by her daughters, Laurie (Jon Courter) of Gig Harbor, WA and Linda (Bellevue, WA); and grandchildren, Todd (Aihly), Katie and Kylie.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Wheatland Terrace for their kindness and friendship while providing excellent care to Kathleen. In addition, the family would like to thank the many friends and family that supported Kathleen throughout the years.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 18, 2022, at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Manvel, ND. Visitation will be for the hour before the funeral in the church. Burial will be immediately following the service at the St. Timothy’s Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Wheatland Terrace or to a cause that was very important to Kathleen – the St Joseph’s Foundation which was established by her dear friend, Father Thanaiah Marneni, to care for orphans in Telangana State, India.