Jolene Ann Bakkila, 66, Moorhead, MN, lost her battle with cancer on Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Elim Care Center, Fargo, ND.
Jolene was born December 19, 1946, to Joseph and Lovera (Harrum) Settelmeyer at New Rockford, ND. After graduating from St. James Academy, New Rockford, she briefly attended Bottineau (ND) Nursing College where she met and married John D. Biby of Munich, ND. They had two children and resided whereever his job took him.
After his death in 1978, she and the children moved to Fargo. She attended a few classes at Moorhead (MN) State University. After marrying Allen E. Bakkila in 1984, she moved her family into his home in Moorhead with his three children from a previous marriage. They had one daughter together.
For twenty years, she was a bus driver for Fargo Catholic Schools. She enjoyed wandering, whether on the internet or the open road. She could strike up a conversation with anyone around her and call it "visiting." She also could be found perusing "junk" stores. Her favorite time of the year was the first week in May.
Jolene was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Lovera Settelmeyer; sister, Oveda Settelmeyer; and first husband, John D. Biby.
She is survived by her husband, Allen Bakkila, Moorhead; children, Cheryl Biby, Moorhead, John (Kimberly) Biby, Moorhead, Cristina (Nicolas) Favela, Grand Forks, ND, Lori (Jon) Blair, West Fargo, ND, James (Shannon) Bakkila, Perham, MN, and Keith Bakkila, Moorhead; siblings, Diane (Jim) Klein, New England, ND, Rod (Joanne) Settelmeyer, New Rockford, ND, Greg (Inez) Settelmeyer, Barnesville, MN, Karen (Steve) Adame, Colorado Springs, CO, Polly (Dave) Nelson, Bismarck, ND, Peggy (John) Sveum, McCloud, ND, Mary Kay (Russ) Peterson, Cody, WY, Cindy (Richard) Vetch, Townsend, MT, Joel (Camille) Settelmeyer, Hickson, ND, and Jeff (Linda)Settelmeyer, Gillette, WY; eight grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Jolene will be Wednesday, May 22, 2013, from 5 - 7 PM, with a prayer service at 6:30 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.
Funeral Mass will be Thursday, May 23, 2013, at 11 AM, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Moorhead. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead.