Wilfred Tillman Bakko

Wilfred Tillman Bakko, 94, Fargo, ND (formerly of Walcott, ND) died August 4, 2011 at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, ND with his loving family by his side.  Wilfred was born March 29, 1917 to Willie and Tillie (Anderson) Bakko on the family farm west of Walcott, ND.  

He grew up and worked on the family farm and attended school at the Viking Township schoolhouse.

Wilfred married Gladys Narum on December 1, 1940 at the Walcott Lutheran Church. Shortly after, they moved to Santa Monica, CA, where he worked at the Douglas Aircraft Company.   In 1945, they returned to the Bakko farm in rural Walcott, ND, to farm and start their family.  On July 2, 1955, their farm was destroyed by the Walcott tornado, but the family survived and rebuilt a mile north of the old farm in Barrie Township.  He turned the farm over to his son, Dennis, in 1984 and took pleasure in helping him with the farm work until he was 92 years old. In July 2010, he moved to Edgewood Vista in Fargo, ND.

Wilfred was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather who was devoted to his wife and family. He was a respected and admired member of the community. Wilfred was a very hard working farmer, who loved to get up early and climb on his John Deere tractor to get out in the field. He was a life long member of the Walcott Lutheran Church, served on the Church Council and melted butter for the Lutefisk Supper for many years. He also served on the Walcott/Colfax Fire District Board. He was the recipient of the Richland County Soil Conservation Award in 1959. He was a member of the Fargo Eagles Club, where he loved to dance.   He enjoyed golfing, laughing and making everyone around him feel special.  For many years, Wilfred and Gladys spent winters in Mesa, AZ and returned to their farm for the summer months.  

Wilfred is survived by his son Dennis (Nannette) Walcott, ND; son Marvin, Fargo, ND; daughter Bonnie and friend, Kathi Cordiner, Port Orange, FL; daughter Patty (Brad) Braaten, Prior Lake, MN; six grandchildren Shaina Bakko, St. Louis Park, MN; Jared Bakko, Fargo, ND; Matthew Bakko, Fargo, ND; Summer Kath, Prior Lake, MN; Trevor (Eyleen) Braaten, Prior Lake, MN; step-grandson Danny (Shannon) Stephney, Fargo, ND; four great-grandchildren Sienna and Lyla Kath, Prior Lake, MN and Pryor and Silas Braaten, Prior Lake, MN;  brother Bernard Bakko, Fargo, ND; sisters Adeline Andvik, Moorhead, MN, Florence Tingum, Wyndmere, ND; brother in law Milton Haugen, Santa Ana, CA;  several loving in-laws and many adoring nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Gladys, of 67 years, son Wayne, brothers Henning, Alfred, Norris, Rueben, Howard and sisters Ruby, Geoline Christiansen, Olga Vigestad and Myrtle Haugen.