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

Lowell "Bob" Bakken

May 25, 1948 - March 13, 2025

Share photos of Lowell