Livingston, WI: Frances A. Bakken, age 93 died on Friday October 18, 2013 at her residence in Livingston. Frances was born March 24, 1920 in rural Montfort the daughter of Wencle and Anna (Nowak) Kuchar. She graduated from Montfort High School in 1937 and married Leonard James Bakken on May 27, 1942 in Dubuque, IA.
Frances and her loving husband Leonard farmed together for almost 50 years in rural Livingston, WI. She loved all the farm animals and had many pets through the years. She loved tending to her gardens, flowers, vegetables and berries. Frances enjoyed making jams, Lefse and Krub and sharing with many! Frances also worked as a postal clerk at the Livingston Post Office for 25 years.
Frances and Leonard enjoyed traveling together. They took trips to Oregon, California, the Black Hills, Niagara Falls, and Florida. Later, Frances enjoyed day trips to many interesting places in the Midwest with Fennimore Tech Decision Tours.
While her son James was in school, she attended all of his football and basketball games. When he graduated, her love of sports turned to professional sports and the NCAA. Frances was an avid Green Bay Packer and Wisconsin Badger fan. She also enjoyed NASCAR and Jeff Gordon.
Frances was a member of St. Peter Lutheran church for most of her life. She enjoyed being a part of the Quilter’s club for several years, where they sent the quilts overseas for relief projects. Frances was a member of the Rebekah Lodge for over 50 years, serving as president and secretary for many years.
Frances is survived by her son James (Ella) Bakken of Corpus Christi, TX, granddaughter Deborah (Randy) Stenjem of Utica, WI, great-grandson Riley Stenjem of Utica, WI and sister-in-law Mary Cook of Middleton, WI. She is also survived by several nephews, nieces and grand nephews and nieces.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband Leonard in 1989, brothers; Frank (Gertrude) Kuchar, Larry Cook, William Kuchar, and Wencle (Rita) Kuchar sisters; Ella (Paul) McGill, Mayme Kuchar, and Blanche (Alfred) Edick, father and mother-in-law Otto and Hazel Bakken, brother-in-laws; Hartman (Mary) Bakken and their son Rolf Bakken, and Bernard (Kathleen) Bakken and their son David Bakken.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday morning Oct. 23, 2013 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fennimore with burial to follow in the Rock Church Cemetery in rural Livingston. Pastor Charles Miller will be officiating. Friends and family may call from 4-6:00 P.M. on Tuesday evening Oct. 22, 2013 at the Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church Wednesday morning.