Arla M. Bakken

Arla M. Bakken was born on January 4, 1925, to Clarence H. and Mabel E. (Rossum) Jacobson on the family farm in Waterford, Wisconsin. She was baptized and confirmed at the historic Norway Muskego Lutheran Church in Wind Lake, Wisconsin. She graduated from Racine County Ag. School in 1943. Arla followed her dream to become a dietician and enrolled at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota – never having seen the campus. While attending college, she met many great friends and created precious memories. In 1947, Arla graduated with honors and began her internship in dietetics at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. In July 1948, she accepted a position at Evanston Hospital in Evanston, Illinois.

Arla met Helmer Bakken while on a trip to visit relatives in Hills, Minnesota. The couple became engaged on New Year’s Eve 1955 and were married on August 25, 1956, at Norway Lutheran Church by Pastor Charles Paulson. They made their home on the Bakken farm west of Luverne, Minnesota. Arla really loved being a farmer’s wife! The family attended Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne where Arla began teaching the three-year old Sunday School children and continued to teach for many years.

Arla mourned the death of her husband Helmer on August 12, 1985, and the death of her son Robert on May 2, 2016. Arla continued living on the farm for the remainder of her life. Arla joined her family in heaven at the age of 98 years, six months, and four days.

Arla was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church where she held offices in GLCW, taught Sunday School participated in soup and pie suppers, salad luncheons, ‘Day of Prayer,’ Meals on Wheels, bible study, ladies aid and other church functions.  She particularly loved to do table decorations with flowers for the various events. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, reading, playing piano, writing letters, making artwork, and writing programs for showers and church events.

Arla was a very considerate and giving person. She was faithful to write to those who were ill, had birthdays, and other occasions. She was an excellent cook and loved to bake Norwegian delicacies, especially platters of assorted cookies to deliver to pastors, shut-ins, relatives, and others. She grew many different flowers and delighted in making arrangements for birthdays, baptisms, church events, nursing home visits and other events.

She is lovingly survived by three children, Judy (Garry) of Harrisburg, South Dakota, Paul (Jennifer) of Luverne, and Mark of Luverne; four grandchildren, Jeffrey (Mindy), Ross, Jennifer (Sean) and Hans; five great-grandchildren, Brayden, MaKenzie, FynnLeigh, Jacob and Connor; brother, Donald (JoAnne) Jacobson of Waterford; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Jacobson of Waterford, and Jackie Jacobson of Dodgeville, Wisconsin and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Helmer; son, Robert; parents; and four siblings, Paul, David, Howard, and Ruth.

In a letter written by Arla, she wrote, “It has been a simple, uncomplicated, very happy life, which the good Lord has blessed me with.”