Lowell "Bob" Bakken

Lowell "Bob" Bakken

May 25, 1948 - March 13, 2025

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Obituary

CROSS PLAINS - Lowell “Bob” Bakken, age 76, of Cross Plains, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Lafayette Manor after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease.


Lowell was born on May 25, 1948, in Madison, the son of Albert and Eva (Field) Bakken. He grew up in Black Earth and graduated in 1966 from Wisconsin Heights High School. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served on the USS Providence (CLG-6) during the Vietnam War. After his service, he returned to his hometown, where he met the love of his life, Karen Maier. They were wed on December 29, 1972, and together raised two sons, Jeremy and Jeff.


Lowell's passion and profession involved cars and auto body repair. He worked for several large dealerships in the Madison area. He was a Body Shop Assistant Manager a few times, but he always preferred working in the shop. Most of his career was spent at Middleton Ford and he retired from Vern's Body Shop in 2014. He repaired several cars over the years for friends and family. He was most proud of restoring a 1970 Dodge Challenger and a 1970 Chevy C10 with his sons. He was also working on a 1965 Dodge Dart for his wife.


Lowell enjoyed spending time with family, friends, pets, and the outdoors. He took his family on several summer camping trips throughout the United States. He joined several Veterans groups including the Black Earth American Legion, VFW, Chapter 4, and the USS Providence Association. In 2004, he attended the USS Providence ship reunion in Buffalo, New York. He also had the privilege to go on the October 2017 Badger Honor Flight with this son, Jeremy. Lowell also enjoyed attending concerts and was thrilled to see the Rolling Stones in 2019.


Lowell is survived by his wife Karen; sons, Jeremy Bakken and Jeffery Bakken; brothers, Dan Bakken and Eric Bakken; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Eva Bakken; brothers, Richard, Phillip R and Phillip W Bakken; and sister, Bonnie Bakken.


A memorial service will be held at VERMONT LUTHERAN CHURCH, 9886 Vermont Church Road, Black Earth, at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025, with Pastor Michael Gormican presiding. Inurnment will take place at Vermont Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.  The family invites you to join them for a luncheon to follow inurnment.


In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (michaeljfox.org).


Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.



Gunderson Camacho Black Earth
Funeral & Cremation Care
1710 Center St.
(608) 767-3684


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Lowell
JR
Jackie Reynolds
Other •
Karen and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope memories of your times together help to ease the pain of your loss. Jackie Kalscheur
JJ
Jared Joseph
Other •
I met Lowell for the first time in 1995. I was good friends with one of his sons, Jeff. From the very first time I met Lowell, I knew he was a kind and gentle soul. Always quick with a smile and a friendly “hello,” Lowell was one of the rare few who would ask about you and your day because he genuinely cared, not because he was waiting to tell you about his. Lowell was a perfectionist. I watched with utter amazement as he would work on vehicles in his spare time. His work was better than I had ever seen, and more importantly; he wanted to teach others his craft. He was a true artist, but he was never belittling to those of us that aren’t. In a world of people that are braggadocios, Lowell was genuinely humble. More skilled than most of us, he chose to be a mentor. I didn’t necessarily know him as well as I should have, but in hindsight I wish I’d known him better. He made a wonderful life for his family and was one of the rare few that wasn’t bothered by the world. He made his place, he tended to it, and he took care of those that mattered. While I am sad he is gone from this world, I know that we are all better off learning from his example. Goodbye, my friend. May you rest in peace. Jared
DB
Doug Benkert
Other •
Lowell had some of the most amazing body repair skills I have ever seen. A true self taught craftsman. I thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent working at Middleton Ford, our paths crossed many times after the dealership. Always had a great attitude even under trying circumstances. Rest well my friend.
BF
Badger Honor Flight
Other •
On behalf of the Badger Honor Flight Board and all our volunteers, we extend our deepest condolences to you all, the family of Lowell Bakken. We are forever grateful for his service to our great country. What an honor it was for us to take him on his well-deserved trip of a lifetime. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
DL
Debby loftsgordon
Other •
Cleo saving a place for him in Heaven We used to have Thanksgiving dinners at his house and karen and Eric Bakken. Your job on EARTH...IS DONE REST WITH THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN CLEO LOFTSGORDON IN HEAVEN AND DEBBY LOFTSGORDON...THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES...MY CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS FOR THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
BD
Bob and Faye Danz
Other •
You and your sons have our sympathy in your loss of Bob. We are thinking of you and have you in our prayers.

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