Robert Bakke

We’re counting our blessings while drying our tears over the loss of Bob Bakke Tuesday, March 14, 2023.  Bob passed away peacefully in the presence of his wife and sons at St. Mary’s hospital in Madison one week after being admitted for a heart attack.

Bob was born April 6, 1934 in his family’s farmhouse in Dane, WI.  He was the eldest son of Lewis and Iva (Vogts) Bakke.  Bob graduated from Lodi High School in 1952.  He served in the United States army from 1954-1956. Upon returning home he met the love of his life, Barbara (Barb) Thompson, during a dance at Smitty’s Hall in Waunakee.   Bob and Barb were married December 6, 1958 at Christ Lutheran Church in DeForest. Their son Dale was born in 1959 followed by son Gary in 1962.

Bob was a faithful, devoted husband and father. He was kind and compassionate.  A person rarely observed Bob riled up.  As a quiet  man he listened intently.  He consistently delivered quick zingers that left you laughing and Bob smiling with a twinkle in his eye. Bob was a man with a tool for every job and the drive to fix what needed fixing quickly and accurately. After becoming a certified tool and die maker, he worked briefly for Madison-Kipp and then retired from Datex-Ohmeda Healthcare as an experimental machinist in 1999 after 33 years of dedicated service.  At the time of his passing Bob was a member of the Dane American Legion Post 503, Lodi Optimist Club, and First Presbyterian Church -Waunakee.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Barb; sons Dale (Jennifer) Bakke – Watertown, WI and Gary (Linda) Bakke – Lodi, WI; two grandchildren: Alec Bakke – Minneapolis, MN  and Karla Bakke (fiancé Matt Blahunka) – Monona, WI; sister-in-law and bother-in law Geraldine (Thompson) and Gene Hoffmann – Fond du Lac, WI, and many nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Alice (Bakke) Doerr; his brothers and their wives Glenn (Joan) Bakke and Ralph (Nancy) Bakke; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Ethel (Thompson) and Don Hahn; and nephew Bruce Bakke.

Bob’s life will be celebrated Saturday April 1, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church-Waunakee.  The  funeral service will be at 11 a.m. preceded by a visitation starting at 9:30 a.m.  A luncheon will be served at First Presbyterian -Waunakee following the funeral.  Burial at the Vienna Cemetery will take place in the afternoon after conclusion of the meal.

Considering allergies and in lieu of flowers, the family appreciates memorial donations be made to either the Dane American Legion Post 503 or First Presbyterian Church – Waunakee.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal.  Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

-- Author Unknown

For those not able to attend the service in person, you may view the service live stream at the link below:

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=a2dc6410-fd56-41df-a942-587d6ea534ed

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Winn-Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee

(608) 849-4513