John A. Bakke (1933-2019)

        John A. Bakke, age 86, of Kenosha, passed away on Sunday, August 25th, at the Wisconsin Veterans Home – Gates Hall, in Union Grove, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Madison, South Dakota on June 18, 1933, John was the son of the late Odee and Bertha (Hines) Bakke, of Madison, South Dakota. 

John attended school at General Beadle State College in Madison, South Dakota, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree and UW-Platteville, in Platteville, Wisconsin, where he received his Master of Arts degree. John taught industrial arts at Bradford High School from 1964 to 1990. John taught various classes at Gateway Technical College and Milwaukee Area Technical College. John was Kenosha coordinator for Junior Achievement at Bradford, he also coached Bradford track and field and Bradford football.

John is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Louise Bakke (Walker), two sons, Kimberly and Peter. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathryn (Harris) Bakke.

A memorial service for John will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church (2001 – 80th Street) with military honors to follow. A visitation with the family will be held on Saturday at the church from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family would be appreciated. 


John’s family would like to thank his fellow VA Home veterans, the staffs at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove and Aurora At-Home Hospice for the care, love and friendship he received.

Thoughts for John A. Bakke (1933-2019);

  • Cynthia Delgadillo says:

    My condolences on the lots of your husband, father and grandfather. I’ve heard many stories of this great man from Alicia, and I was saddened to hear of his passing.

  • Hi Louise and family, I was sad to learn of John’s passing. I usually say the person who passed is in a better place and while that may true for John, I know you’d rather he be here with you. I can still see him in the halls at Bradford, rounding up kids for their next class. I’m sorry we won’t be there on Saturday, out of town. Thinking of you.

  • John Bleashka says:

    Deepest condolences on the passing of John. I attended Bradford and I was on both the track and football team. Mr. Bakke was one of my coaches who helped me during my years at Bradford from 1966 to 1968. I would of been there to celebrate this nice man but I had a recent injury and cannot get around real well at this time.

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