John Bakke, 91, of Thief River Falls, MN formerly of Burlington, ND passed away on Monday, August 26, 2019 at Greenleaf Assisted Living in Thief River Falls, MN surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 AM on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at Christ Lutheran Church in Lignite, ND with Pastor Janet Gwin officiating. Military honors will be provided by the North Dakota Army National Guard Honor Guard and Lignite American Legion Post Honor Guard.

John Morris Bakke was born on April 28, 1928 at the farm house in Ambrose, ND the son of John and Agnes (Opperud) Bakke. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith. He attended Ambrose Public School through the 8 ^th grade. Because of his father's death that year, John continued to stay home and work on the family farm.

On March 17, 1954, at the age of 26, John enlisted with the United States Army. He was stationed in South Korea and worked as a tank driver and tank commander. Following his service, John was Honorably Discharged on February 9, 1956 and returned to live in North Dakota. John enrolled in Barber School in Fargo, ND in 1958, graduated in 1960, and went to work in Crosby, ND.

In 1961, John was united in marriage to Thelma Muriel Bakke. The couple made their home in Speedway, ND where John owned and operated the Speedway Barber Shop for 55 years. He was a hard-working family man.

Together, John and Thelma enjoyed fishing and camping.

Survivors include his loving wife, Thelma; son, Jerome (Susan) Bakke; granddaughter, Emily Bakke all in the Thief River Falls, MN area; brothers, Andy (Georgetta) Bakke, George (Loy) Bakke all of Minot, ND and Edwin Bakke of Crosby, ND; and many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by parents; siblings, Addy, Marty, Edward, Alton, Leonard and Elmer.