Duane Melvin Bakken

I was a library assistant at North Junior High for many years. Ole was the librarian at the time. He was very certain I would be able to handle the job. He was patient in teaching me the library system and he was a big loss to the staff when he left to be the librarian at a new Russell Jr High. His upbeat attitude was always so supportive to the whole student body as well as the staff at North. Ole and I always had a pot of coffee brewing and the staff was always welcome to enjoy a cup while...

Ole was a dear friend, when I married my husband Hans Bjornen in 1977 Ole was, on behalf of my family the one to " give me away" He and Joan were great friends My love to Joan and Kurt, Kevin and Erling

I worked with Ole at Colorado College when he was a reference librarian, he was always kind and supportive. Just an absolute gem. I'm so sorry to hear he has passed.

Mr. Bakken was my favorite teacher at North Junior High - and he became the librarian my final year there. I enjoyed his stories and he laughed at my jokes, and it was a pleasant surprise to find him in the library when I went to Colorado College. He had so many students but he remembered me as soon as he saw me walk in the door! I always made it a point to visit with him whenever I. came back to CC.

Miss you!

My favorite subbing job in the 80´s was working under Ole at Russell´s library. Praying for Joan and the family.

I worked with Ole at Colorado College for many years. He was a very beloved staff member. At the end of the school year, he always had a sing along with witty lyrics to memorialize the events of the summer. He and Joan would bring all kinds of food. What always struck me was how he told us he was so grateful for his job and to work with us. Ole, we were the grateful ones!

I can't remember if it was the 7th or the 8th grade that you were my English teacher at North Junior. You were the first teacher to call all your students "Mr." or "Miss." (this was before the era of 50 different pronouns) Hard to believe that the young teacher, full of energy and life, was 91 years old when he passed from the earth. Seems like we're here for just a moment, then we're gone. Rest well, Mr. Bakken, and thank you.

Bakken family- Sending my sincere condolences. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. My father passed about five years ago and there is not a day that goes by that I don´t think about him. Keep him in your hearts.