Marilyn Joan "Jo" Bakken

Marilyn Joan “Jo” Bakken, 84 of Fergus Falls, Minnesota passed away peacefully on October 13, 2017, surrounded by her family. She was a compassionate, loving, generous mom, grandmother and great grandmother who passed away at Pioneer Care Center after battling a long-term lung disease.

Born on September 1, 1933 in, Wahpeton, North Dakota to Marion and Paul Gust, Jo moved to Fergus Falls in grade school and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1951. After graduating, Jo married her high school sweetheart, Gordy Bakken, on July 25, 1953. Jo and Gordy lived in Fergus Falls for their entire life and were married for 62 years.

Jo was a compassionate and generous person who always put the interests of others ahead of her own. She was a simple person of faith who led by example. A caregiver for most of her life she never complained and was always very willing to help others. Her generous nature drove her devotion to her family and others and her example of quiet strength has guided her kids and grandkids and will be her legacy.

Jo was active in her church, homemakers, Lake Region Hospital Auxiliary, PTA, Meals on Wheels, coached youth sports, and was involved in all of her kids activities. She enjoyed music both singing and playing the piano and clarinet and passed on this love of music to her children and grandchildren.

Preceded in death by her loving husband, Gordy Bakken, her parents Marion and Paul Gust, and her brother, Paul Gust, Jr.

Survived by children, Kim (Lee Parr) Bakken-Parr and Jody (John) Potts all of Vadnais Heights, Pamela Bakken of Redmond, Washington and Paul (Robyn) Bakken of Plymouth; grandchildren Lauren (Matt) Frazier, Landon Sach, Sydney, Rachel, and Luke Bakken, Nathan and Taylor Potts, great-grandchildren Addyson Frazier and Alexandra Parr, and brother-in-law Norman (Jean) Bakken of Bloomington.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to CrossRoads Church, YoungLife of Fergus Falls, and PioneerCare Center.

Visitation: 30 min. prior to the service at the church
Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at CrossRoads Church, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Pastor Jim Bjork
Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls
Arrangements provided by the Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Online condolences may be sent to www.OlsonFuneralHome.com