Roger Bakke

Roger M. Bakke, passed away on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center in Bismarck, ND at the age of 83. He was born on February 7, 1939, in Swift County, Edison Township, MN.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1004 E Highland Acres Rd, Bismarck.

Family will greet visitors starting at 6:30 PM, Monday, October 31, 2022, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck.

Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 1825 46^th St, Mandan, Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at 2:00 PM with full military honors.

Roger lived in Minnesota until the age of 15, then moved to Williston, ND with his family. He graduated from Williston High School in 1957 and upon graduating, Roger enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he was stationed in Hawaii. There he met the love of his life, Lucille (Goeas). They were married in Aiea, Hawaii on May 20, 1961, and lived in Hawaii for a while until he was honorably discharged. They moved back to Williston, in 1962. The couple was blessed with two children, Art and Caroline.

Roger served as a Deputy Sheriff in Williams County.  During his tenure, he saved two lives and received life-saving awards for each. He then served as Chief of Police in Grenora, ND then the Chief of Police in Alexander, ND. During this time, he re-enlisted into the ND Army National Guard in 1977.

After leaving law enforcement, he served full-time with the ND Army National Guard in Williston as recruiter. He recruited several people in his career and earned the Master Recruiter Badge.  In August 1984, Roger and family were relocated to Bismarck, where he served in various positions within the ND Army National Guard.

Throughout his active-duty military career, he received many medals, ribbons, and awards to include:

Master Recruiter, ND Legion of Merit, Army Lapel Button, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (5th Award), Navy Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar.

Roger retired from the ND Army National Guard in 1995. Upon retirement, he served as a security officer at the State Historical Society of ND, ultimately retiring in 2007.

Roger had a very servant heart and actively donated blood throughout his life. He was recognized for donating 100 pints of blood which roughly helped save an estimated 300 lives.

Roger enjoyed serving his country and was an active member in many organizations to include:

Former American Legion and 5^th District Legion Commander in North Dakota, Former DAV Commander and Life Member, Former Vietnam Veterans Commander, Former VFW Cooties Seam Squirrel and Life Member, Amvets Honor Guard and Life Member.

Roger was extremely proud of his family and let everyone know. His family brought him so much joy and love. He was a character.  He was a friendly fellow who could strike up a good conversation with anyone.  He was a kind man who would give anyone anything they needed. He loved life.

He is survived by his children, Art (Tina) Bakke and Caroline (Mike) Collins; grandchildren, Alexis (Kellen) Tibor, Cole Bakke, Callie Collins, Keira Collins; great-grandchild, Cecilia Tibor; brother, David (Ann) Bakke and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Lucille Bakke; parents, Arthur and Ruth Bakke; parents-in-law, Manuel and Violet Goeas; brother, Marlen Bakke; sisters and brothers-in-law, Adeline (Ray) Folkestad and Arlene (Rudale) Nelson.