IRENE BAKKEN obituary

Irene Leota Bakken,87, resident of Billings and former resident of Havre died Wednesday, April 26, 2006, in Billings at her daughter's home of natural causes.

Her funeral service was scheduled for 10 a.m. today at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Brad Ulgenes officiating. Burial was to follow at Highland Cemetery.

Irene was born June 13, 1918, on the family homestead at Palermo, N.D., to Gilbert and Anna Mahlum. She grew up and attended school in Palermo.

On July 14, 1938, she married Myron Bakken in Minot, N.D. In 1941, the couple moved to Glasgow, where Myron worked for the Great Northern Railway. They resided there until 1972, when they moved to Havre.

Irene was very active in the Railroad Firemens and Engineers, Ladies Aid and was a Sunday school teacher at First Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Moose Lodge in Glasgow and Eagles in Havre, and volunteered at the Lutheran Home of The Good Shepherd.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Myron Bakken, in 2000; daughter, Dorothy Cook; one brother; and one sister.

Survivors include her daughter, Marge (Al) Ickes of Billings; brother, Victor (Elaine) Mahlum of Bismark, N.D.; sisters, Grace Amundson and Ella (Jerry) King, both of Stanley, N.D., and Mary Meyer and Martha Snyder, both of Mesa, Ariz.; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and eight great-geat grandchildren.

Memorials in Irene's honor can be made to American Cancer Society of Montana, 550 N. 31st St., Suite 103, Billings, MT 59101.

Services and arrangements were entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.