Jerome K. Bakke

Jerome Kenwood Bakke, 86, Grand Forks, ND, died on January 19, 2022 at  Altru Hospital.  He was born in Williston, ND, to George Bakke & Hilda (Fosse) Bakke on February 26, 1935.  The family moved to a farm on the edge of Williston, ND, after living near Alamo.  Jerry graduated from Williston High School in 1954.  He worked as a residential painter for Birkeland Decorators for several years.  He married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Sasse, on Sept. 15, 1956, in Williston.  After Randy was born, the family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Jerry attended telegraphy school at night and worked for Nunley Painting by day.  Shortly after Roxanne, was born, the family returned to Williston.  After Suzanne was born, Jerry went to work for Natwick Decorators as a commercial painter.  Sandra’s birth in 1961 completed the Bakke family. Jerry  and the family moved to Dickinson, ND, when he was transferred in 1966, and later to Grand Forks in 1970.  He bought the Grand Forks branch of Natwick Decorators and renamed the company Kenwood Decorators, where he worked for companies like Simplot, Crystal Sugar, ND Mill, First National Bank, and many others.

 Jerry & Marilyn took many road trips to the West Coast and Vancouver Island, visiting family along the way.  They visited New Zealand many times and toured the country with their daughter Roxanne & family.  After they retired, they took an annual trip with their daughter Suzanne (& Richard), mainly to Hawaii, but with  one trip to each Costa Rica, Mexico, and Florida.  Family was very important to the Bakkes and they traveled many miles to keep in touch and attend events.  Jerry’s bucket list included salmon fishing in Alaska and trout fishing in New Zealand, ziplining in Hawaii, hot-air ballooning in Phoenix, a ride in a float-plane in Alaska, and jet boating in New Zealand.  Jerry went hunting when he was young and fishing throughout his life.  He went on many fishing trips with his son-in-law Wayne and grandson Trent. He enjoyed going out to coffee with his friends after he retired and he especially enjoyed driving his red Mustang convertible.   He was also very handy at fixing things and doing construction around his home and rental properties.

Jerry was a long time member of Calvary Lutheran Church.  Jerry is survived by his wife Marilyn, his daughters Roxanne Bakke of Pakuranga, New Zealand; Suzanne (Richard) Maxwell of Soldotna, AK; and Sandra (Wayne) Wagner of Fargo; his five grandchildren: Serina Calhoun of San Francisco; Dr. Tessa Calhoun (Dr. Ben Doughty) of Knoxville, TN; Trent (Erin) Wagner of Arthur, ND; Jacob Quax of Pakuranga, NZ; and Theo Quax of Pakuranga & Flagstaff, AZ, and 4 great-grandchildren: Nolan & Iris Doughty and McKenna & Madison Wagner.  He is also survived by his brother Curtis Bakke of Mesquite, NV, and nephews Steve (Cari) Bakke & daughters Caysie & Courtney; Scott Bakke & son Cameron;  Cory Bakke & son John (Adrianna) Hayes & daughter Alayna;  and niece Sherrie Dee Bakke & son Cayden (all of Salt Lake City UT area).

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents George Bakke & Hilda Bakke; his in-laws Art & Minda Sasse (all of Williston), his son Randy Bakke (Hawaii), his son-in-law Dick Quax (Pakuranga, NZ), his brother Lowell & (Evelyn) Bakke  (Phoenix, AZ), his sister-in-law Cheryl Bakke and his niece Stephanie Bakke (Salt Lake City)

A viewing and sharing of memories will take place at the Amundson Funeral Home on Sunday, January 23 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM with a 3:30 PM prayer service.  The funeral will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church on January 24 at 11:00 AM with visitation the hour before the service in the church.  Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.  The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Calvary Lutheran Church.