Irene K. Bakken

Irene Katherine Bakken was born in an old rickety farmhouse in Wales, ND, to Jacob and Katherine (Veer) Penner. She was the seventh of twelve children.

Irene was raised in that area and attended Waterloo country school through eighth grade. She was united in marriage to Albert R. Thompson at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Langdon, ND, in 1952. They lived and farmed in the Hannah, ND, area.

Irene and Albert moved to Walhalla, ND, in 1966, and then to West Fargo, ND, in 1978. Albert died February 28, 1979. She married Joseph Bakken on June 29, 1980, at the Church of God, Fargo, ND. They made their home in Moorhead, MN, and Joseph died November 21, 2004.

Irene continued to live in Moorhead and only recently entered Eventide on Eighth, Moorhead, where she died Saturday, December 25, 2021, at eighty-eight years of age.

Irene loved all kinds of crafting and crocheting. She was a talented guitar player and singer. Around the home, she enjoyed baking homemade bread and buns. She also enjoyed her plants while gardening.

Irene is lovingly survived by her children, Allan (Jolene) Thompson, Langdon, and Beverly (Lowell) Fagerland, Mapleton, ND; stepdaughter, Jane (Milt) Olslund, Fertile, MN; six grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one step great-grandchild; sister, Elaine Brand, Auburn, WA; and brothers, Nick (Margie) Penner, Snohomish, WA, David (Roxanne) Penner, Denver City, TX, and Henry Penner, St. Helens, OR.

In addition to Albert and Joseph, Irene was preceded in death by her siblings, Margaret, Marian, Jacob, Isaac, Abe, Herman, and Rueben.

Visitation for Irene will be Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, from 5 - 7 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.

Her funeral will be Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, at 1 PM, in River Valley Church, Dilworth, MN.

Burial will take place in Moorhead Memorial Gardens.