CLARENCE BAKKE obituary

INVERNESS - Clarence Palmer Bakke Jr., 77, retired Inverness farmer, died Monday, Jan. 3, 2005, at Benefis East Medical Center from heart failure.

A funeral service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Bethel Lutheran Church in Joplin. Burial will follow at the Joplin Cemetery.

Clarence was born Oct. 22, 1927,

at Chicago, Ill., to Clarence Sr. and Sylvia (Winji) Bakke, both of Norwegian origin. He grew up on the Bakke homestead near Inverness. After graduation from Inverness High School in 1945, Clarence continued his education at Northern Montana College in Havre for a year.

In 1948, Clarence enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. After a short enlistment, he received an honorable discharge following the death of his father. He returned to Montana to operate the family farm. In addition he served in the Marine Corps Reserves for 10 months with the Shelby detachment. During three winters in the early 1950s he worked in San Francisco, Calif., for Pan American Airways, refueling aircraft.

Clarence married Betty Simonian on Jan. 6, 1956, at Las Vegas, Nev. They made their home on the Bakke farm north of Inverness. Clarence put his farm into CRP in 1999 and retired. The Bakkes have continued to live on the farm since their retirement.

Clarence was a life member of the Havre Elks Lodge No. 1201 and had served a three-year term on the Inverness School board. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church in Joplin. The C. P. Bakke V.F.W. Post No. 3997 in Chester was named after Clarence's father.

In his early years, Clarence enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating. He was a good mechanic and an amateur artist. He also enjoyed attending local sporting events and socializing with friends. Several of his good buddies affectionately called him "Bakk".

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Betty Bakke of Inverness; daughters, Lori (Steve) Thorsrud of Sammamish, Wash., Carol (William) Hammer of Great Falls, and Lisa (Enoch) Walker of Phoenix, Ariz.; five grandchildren; sister, Sylvia (John) Arhontes of Hayward, Calif.; and numerous nephews & nieces.

Memorials will be given to the Helicopter Landing Pad Fund at the Liberty County Hospital, in care of the Hi-Line Health Foundation in Chester.

Arrangements by Rockman Funeral Chapel, Chester.