Tammy Rae Bakken

1962 - 2024

Arlington, WI - Tammy Rae (Gabbei) Bakken, age 61, of Arlington, passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at University Hospital surrounded by her loving family.

Tammy was born on October 28, 1962, in Portage, the daughter of Harry and Sandra (Edwards) Gabbei. She married Dale Bakken on September 17, 1983. Tammy was the administrator at Wishing Well Day Care in DeForest, and Sunny Day Day Care in Sun Prairie. She had taught special education in the Poynette School District for 10 years. Tammy loved shopping with her nieces and nephews. She was an advocate for animal rescues and adopted from shelters. Tammy loved teaching children and spending time crafting with the kids. She enjoyed crocheting and crafting; and Sunday drives with her mother and brother, taking pictures of nature. She and Dale enjoyed many trips together over the years.

She is survived by her husband, Dale; her mother, Sandra Gabbei; her foster child, Erica (Max) Dunn and their son, Abraham; her siblings, Laurie Schaefer, Randy Gabbei and Susan (Roger) Walker; her father-in-law, Fredrick Bakken; in-laws, Cherie (Dennis) Anderson, Brenda (Jeff) Miller, Suzanne (Dave) Pieper, Tammy Jo (Jason) Fischer, Tracey (Brent) Sanner and Darell Bakken; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Harry Richard, her grandparents, her mother-in-law, Shirley Hanson Bakken; her brothers-in-law, David Bakken and Darwin Bakken, aunts, uncles and cousins.



Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon, on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Poynette, with the Rev. Michele Hopp officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon on Saturday at the funeral home. Luncheon to follow at Poynette City Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be used for an enduring Scholarship Fund.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Poynette (www.pmmfh.com) is assisting the family.