Darrell Bakke, 60, died on Thursday, April 10, 2003 at his home in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Karin Moberg officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Newfolden, MN.

Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM Monday, April 14, 2003 with a 7:00 PM prayer service at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to services Tuesday at the church.

Darrell Mylan Bakke was born on October 23, 1942 in Thief River Falls, MN, the son of Magnus and Alice (Hall) Bakke. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Newfolden, MN and attended Newfolden Elementary School and Newfolden High School, graduating in 1960. On February 15, 1964 he was united in marriage to Julie Halme in Middle River, MN.

Darrell began his insurance business with Modern Woodman Life Insurance in the early 1960s. Health Insurance became a second product for him with the addition of Equitables Health Insurance. This later became the main focus of his business with the addition of Principal and Blue Cross of Minnesota as his major health insurance providers.

He purchased Ulrich Insurance with Orren Bendickson in 1991 and they acquired Sorenson Insurance of Glenwood, MN in 1993. They formed Benefit Services, Inc. in 1994 as an employee benefit administration company in Thief River Falls. They then acquired Midwest Health Benefits of Morris, MN in 1998 and merged Sorenson into that company. Midwest Health Benefits purchased Stabler Insurance in Perham in 2002.

Darrell was an avid golfer, hunter, cribbage player, woodworker and snowmobiler. He enjoyed his Hobby Farm and spending time at his cabin.

He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, where he served on the Church Council. Darrell was also a member of the Thief River Falls Golf Club, Health Underwriters and Life Underwriters. He served on numerous Insurance Boards and Committees and also served on the Northwest Medical Center Board.

Darrell is survived by the mother of his children, Julie Bakke of Thief River Falls, MN; two children: Heather (Joe) Gallo of Cheyenne, WY; and Darren Bakke of Thief River Falls, MN; one grandson, Tyler Gallo; his twin brother, David (Marge) Bakke of Newfolden, MN; one sister, Beverly Pederson of Newfolden; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Holly Bakke; his parents; his grandparents; brother-in-law, Bertyl Pederson; and one nephew, Brent Pederson.