Carrie Bakken

Memorials may be directed to the Luverne Public School - Elementary Library.

CARRIE CHRISTINE BAKKEN was born on November 21, 1967 to Darold and Helen (Eggen) Laabs in Rapid City, South Dakota. At 18 months, her family moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A few years later, the family moved to Luverne, Minnesota where Carrie began her kindergarten year in the Luverne Public Schools. During her school years, Carrie was a part of the yearbook committee. As she was passionate about music, she participated in band and choir, serving as drum major her junior and senior year in high school. Along with school, Carrie mowed yards and worked at Glen’s Grocery in the bakery department. Following her graduation from Luverne High School in 1986, Carrie attended Mankato State University in Mankato, Minnesota and completed her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. During her college years, she frequently made weekend trips home to spend time with Peter Bakken. On August 4, 1990, the couple was united in marriage at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. They made their home ten miles west of town and were blessed with two children, Makayla and Elijah. Carrie began her career in education and worked in the Brandon-Valley School District for 15 years. After taking a couple of years off, Carrie’s life came full circle as she became employed in the Luverne Public School system where she would become a Title 1 / RTI teacher for ten years. She was very passionate about her job and enjoyed being a part of her students’ lives. In 1994, Carrie was diagnosed with Scleroderma, an autoimmune disease which causes hardening and tightening of skin and connective tissues. Her strong-will and determination prevented this disease from taking away the career that she loved. After a long battle, on Monday, July 15, 2019 while at the Sanford Luverne Hospital, Carrie went to be with her Lord at the age of 51 years, seven months and 24 days.

Carrie was a member of Palisade Lutheran Church where she served as its secretary for several years, taught Sunday School and served as Superintendent, was involved in music ministry, and headed up the annual children’s Christmas program. She was amazingly creative and enjoyed attending craft shows. She also enjoyed mowing lawn and attending her children’s activities.

Those that will keep her spirit alive in their hearts are her husband, Peter Bakken; two children, Makayla Bakken of Thousand Oaks, California and Elijah Bakken of Luverne; parents, Darold and Helen Laabs of Luverne; two siblings, Julie (Paul) Vis of Sioux Falls and Bruce Laabs of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; nieces, nephews and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents.