Stella Pearl Bakken

Stella P. Bakken, age 101 of Detroit Lakes, MN (formally of Audubon) died Thursday May 30 at Diamond Willow. Stella Pearl (Olson) Bakken was born in Avoca, Minnesota to Ole and Matilda (Magnus) Olson. At a very young age she moved with her parents to a farm south of Lake Park. She attended country school and graduated from Lake Park High School. She attended M.S.T.C. Moorhead, Minnesota for two years and received her Elementary Teachers Diploma. She taught country school at District 121 and District 2 south of Audubon. She later received her bachelor’s degree at Moorhead State University and taught third grade in Lake Park for several years. She married Wilford Bakken on January 30, 1938 at the Audubon Parsonage. They had two children, Joanne and Gary. They farmed south of Audubon, raised turkeys and started a wholesale and retail bait business. She taught Sunday School and was very active in many church activities including Ladies Aid, Circles and quilting. She was a caregiver for many relatives. Her door was always open to help those in need. She is survived by daughter, Joanne Olson of Detroit Lakes; son, Gary (Barb) Bakken of Audubon, MN; four grandchildren, Flint Motschenbacher of Detroit Lakes; Nancy (Ron) Soberg of Rochert; Brent (fiancée Marcy Silberman) Motschenbacher of Elizabeth, MN; and LeAnn (Chad) Smoley of Woodbury, MN; and three great grandchildren, Paige and Daphne Smoley; and Shianne Motschenbacher. She was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, her parents and seven brothers and sisters.