Art E. Bakken

Arthur Edward Bakken, Jr., age 77 of Mandan, North Dakota passed away on March 1, 2020 at Sanford Medical Center due to complications from a quadruple bypass. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 5, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1402 E Ave C, Bismarck.

Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at the ND Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Art was born on March 8, 1942 to Arthur Edward Bakken, Sr. and Irene Blanche Chabot in Rollette, ND. Art received his primary education in Garrison, ND and later received his GED while stationed with the US Army at Ft. Bliss, TX. He served state-side during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was honorably discharged on September 30, 1966.

Art married JoAnn Hebert and to this union two sons were born, Bruce Elliot and Sean Edward.

While pursing his drumming passion, AE met the love of his life Judith Marie Dietz. They were married on September 12, 1970. Their nearly 50 years together, began when Art was working for Sears Roebuck in Bismarck.  Dana Lawrence Arthur was born the following year and the family of three was soon transferred to Grand Forks with Sears. Not long after, the family moved back to Bismarck where Dallas Edmund was born and completed the family.

After several transfers around the midwest, it was time to come back to home to North Dakota. Art pursued further education and proudly earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. North 21st Street was home for 25 years before Art and Judi moved to Mandan.

Art played in a number of country music bands during his time in the service and across the North Dakota area. His passion for music turned to square dancing and while bowing to his favorite partner Judi, their dancing friends truly became their second family. Square dancing took Judi and Art into many states and Canada and lots of memories were made packing cars and caravanning around to dances! Around the home, Art could be found watching the Vikings, Twins, Bison, and Star Trek - turned up maybe a little louder than the rest of us appreciated!

Arts life revolved around his love for family - everyone was special in their own way. Art is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judi, sons Bruce, Sean, Dana, and Dallas, and step-daughter Lisa (Lown) Schipman; sister Kathy (Randy) Wolfstetter, grandchildren Stephanie (Josh) Murray, Jason Wolfe, Jeremy Bakken, Natalie Bakken, Lindsey Bakken, Katherine (Adam) Austin, Erik Bakken, Kaitlyn Bakken, Cord (Katherine) Schipman, and Tristan Schipman, great-grand children Ian Bailey Austin, Elise Schipman, and Layne Schipman, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Art recently connected with the Stewart side of his family tree.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father Floyd, brother Ronnie, and grandson Gage.