Ryan L. Bakken
September 19, 1951 ~ June 28, 2025
Ryan’s service will be livestreamed below starting at 2:00 PM, Monday, July 7, 2025.
Ryan Lee Bakken, a beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away on June 28, 2025, at Sanford Hospice House, surrounded by the love of his family.
Born on September 19, 1951, in Fosston, Minnesota, Ryan was the son of Lowell and Ruby (Olson) Bakken. Growing up in Crookston, he attended McKinley Elementary and Central High School, where he graduated in 1969. Ryan pursued his degree at Moorhead State College, graduating in 1973. He then went on to a career in sports journalism, writing at the Grand Forks Herald for over 40 years. Ryan was inducted into the NDAPSSA Hall of Fame in 2007 and was chosen sportswriter of the year in ND in 1984, 1985, and 1995.
In 1984, Ryan married the love of his life, Chris Scott, and together they raised two wonderful children: Andrea and Jacob. Ryan embraced life with a passion for sports. He was an avid golfer, softball player, and a devoted basketball coach. Ryan’s family and lifelong friends appreciate the light he brought to life, cracking jokes and enjoying a good game of cards.
Ryan’s legacy will live on through his beloved wife, Chris; his daughter, Andrea (Jarrett) Robertsdahl, and their children, Miles, Parker, Leo, and Griffin; his son, Jacob (Becca) Bakken; his sisters, Carol (Punky) Johnson and Catherine Bell; his brothers, Dale Bakken and Paul (Charlow) Bakken; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Memorials in honor of Ryan can be made to the Sanford Hospice House, 820 N 4th St, Fargo, ND 58102.
Services
Visitation - Monday: July 7, 2025 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Memorial Service - Monday: July 7, 2025 2:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
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I am heartbroken to hear the news of Ryan’s passing. We had been friends for over 50 years in Crookston. He and Gary Royal treated me like a little sister. He was a wonderful friend. The last time I saw Ryan was in 2010 at a Twins pre-season game in Fort Meyers. Gary caught a ball that day and let me keep it for my nephew. I have such happy memories of Ryan.
Ryan was in the Twin Cities some years ago and we met up with another friend, Doug LaFriniere. I was parked in a parking garage and I asked Ryan to walk me out to my car. He kind of teased me about being a chicken. A week later, Alfonso Rodriguez killed Drew Shudeen.(sp). Ryan wrote a column about that and in it he wrote, that if a friend asks you to walk them to their car, do it! Ryan was one of the good ones. Bless his memory. I pray for comfort for all those who loved him.
Chris, Andrea, Jacob and family, our condolences! Thanks for sharing Ryan with me over the years. Groomsman at Diane and I’s wedding, softball tournaments, 20 plus years of playing golf in the 4th of July triple event at Minakwa, honored that he asked a hacker like met to play in the 1993 LPGA pro-am, always played in my annual Hacker tourney (he was no hacker), all the caravans to the Twins games, spring training in Florida in 2010, the smear games, the annual TBGE poker game, your visits as a family for many years on Christmas Eve. Endless memories. He was a special friend! Rest in peace Ryan “Briggs” “Briggsey Boy” and may God grant you eternal life! Give those guys up there some chipping lessons….you were the best chipper of a golf ball I knew!! Your friend Hoover.