Corrine Bakken

Corrine Bakken, age 98, was called to the Lord on May 1, 2026. Corrine was surrounded by her loving family, passing peacefully at HIA Heather’s House in Fargo, ND.

She was born on February 25, 1928, in Barton N.D. to Lawrence O. and Jennie (Benson) Ellsworth. She was raised briefly near Barton, and then Rugby, North Dakota, and received her education in the Rugby School District.

Corrine met the love of her life, Oscar M. Bakken, while she was living in Minot with her sister Loretta, working as a waitress. They united in holy matrimony on October 14, 1950. With homes in South Prairie, Minot, Rolette, Lake Metigoshe, Aberdeen and West Fargo, they made a beautiful life with their 3 boys, Larence, Mark and Bruce.

While in Rolette, she worked with her husband, Oscar, at Farmers Union Oil as a secretary/bookkeeper. Once Bruce started school, she worked at the Rolette hospital as their only x-ray technician.

In 1978, after their boys began their own families, Oscar and Corrine move to Aberdeen, SD where Oscar was the manager of the Cenex Propane Plant. Being the hard worker, she was, Corrine found work with Control Data where she assembled very tiny circuit boards for computer disk drives. Her keen sense of process and observation resulted in her receiving several achievement awards for improving processes and standards.

In 1988, Oscar retired from Cenex and they moved to West Fargo to be closer to family. She volunteered and worked at Larson’s Super Value doing food demo. Corrine has always loved to work and in 1993 she found her dream job working with special needs children as a Para for the West Fargo School Bus. She loved working and building special relationships with her kids on the bus. After 27 years she retired at the age of 92. Even though she had retired, she continued to help serve Senior Meals at Trollwood until she was unable to safely handle 3 plates.

Corrine loved spending time with her family, especially her 11 grandchildren. She had a passion for working the yard and in her garden and sharing its bounty, baking brownies & Christmas bread for her family and friends and having her independence. She was always appreciative of everything done for her. Her snow removal guys (Adam & Rix) often were fed egg salad sandwiches at 5:30 in the morning because she knew they hadn’t eaten before starting their snow job. The Garbage men knew her by her brownie because she would treat them to brownies and a drink when it was hot, especially if she had extra trash for them to load. The Lebahn Insurance Agency, Bell Bank Tellers and neighbors all knew her for her tomatoes & cucumbers because she always brought them to share. They both loved the Senior meals at West Fargo Highrise and made many lasting friends. She even taught them how to bring a container so they could take some of the meal home for later.

We take immense comfort knowing she is reunited in eternal peace with the Lord, her parents and grandparents, two brothers, Dwayne and Joe, brother-in-law Joe Schmaltz, her devoted husband, Oscar and beloved son Mark.

Mourning her loss yet rejoicing in Christ’s great mercy are her sons and daughters-in-law: Larence (Sheila) Fargo ND, Bruce (Janelle) Thompson ND, Marsha Bakken Williston ND, two sisters: Loretta Schmaltz and Jane (Fred) Vetch; eleven grandchildren: Christopher Endres, Kori (Lyle) Cox, Trisha (Christ) Pelzman, Shane Bakken, Adam (Heather) Endres, Amanda Smith, Rachel (Josh) Sloan, Christina (Curt) Pacleb, Christopher (Arriane) Bakken, Brandi (Kevin) Schlaueraff, Ashley (Kurt) Thomer; twenty-seven great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Though our hearts are heavy, we are so blessed by the years we shared, the lessons she imparted and all the memories we made with her. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend with an intense work ethic, great sense of humor, generosity, and appreciation. She has left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

Visitation: Thursday, May 14, 2026 from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND.

Memorial Service: Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

West Fargo, ND

westfuneralhome.com

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