Duane Melvin Bakken

1934 - 2025

BORN

1934

DIED

2025

About

University of Northern Colorado

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The Springs Funeral Services - Platte

3115 E. Platte Avenue

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Duane Bakken Obituary

Bakken
Duane "Ole" Melvin
Bakken
May 1, 1934
October 28, 2025

Duane "Ole" Melvin Bakken was born on May 1, 1934 on a farm near Hanlontown, Iowa, to Melvin and Bertine (Bjaaland) Bakken. He attended Hanlontown Schools but graduated from Colorado Springs Main High after his family moved here in 1951. He attended Colorado State College of Education, now UNC, and was a member of the AFROTC program. Upon graduation, he served in the Air Force as a Navigator/Electronic Warfare Officer. He was a long-time teacher and librarian at North Junior High and Russell Junior High Schools in the city. He also was employed as a part-time reference librarian in Tutt Library at Colorado College for more than 38 years.
He married Clairette Joan Skinner on July 5, 1958. They celebrated 67 years together this year. Their love was a model and inspiration to all who knew them.
Ole was known for his parodies presented at the end of the school year which celebrated the events of the year or current happenings at Russell Junior and also at Tutt Library of Colorado College. He was a Charter Member and a past President of Fjellheim Lodge of the Sons of Norway where he sang folk songs and chaired Lutefisk Dinners. He sang traditional Norwegian songs including "Den Storre Vite Flok" at memorial services for Scandinavian friends.
He is survived by his wife and three sons, Kurt, Kevin, and Erling; grandchildren, Arielle, Amber, Mitchell, Blake, Terrell, and Spencer; his sister Karen Predovich; brother-in-law Dale Wilmeth; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Bertine Bakken and sisters Thelma Hottel, Genevieve Moen, Sylvia Toney, Dena McDowall, and Beverly Wilmeth.
He was a man of humor and wisdom who will be dearly missed.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sons of Norway, 1045 Ford Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80915

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Nov. 9, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Duane Bakken

9 Entries

Carol Lindell

Yesterday

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

Diane Brodersen Armock

Yesterday

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!

Jay Cadillac

November 11, 2025

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.

L. T.

November 10, 2025

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.

Henry Lovelle Doyle

November 10, 2025

Thank you for being one of my excellent teachers at North Junior High School in the 1960s. I treasure our communication since I graduated in 1973 from The Colorado College. Rest peacefully, beloved Mr. Bakken, and rise majestically.
To your beloved wife Joan and loved ones, I extend heartfelt condolences.
With compassion, love, prayers,
Henry Doyle, NJHS 1963-1966

Sarah Jaecks

November 10, 2025

So sorry to read about Ole's passing. I worked at Colorado College Tutt Library with Ole for many years. He was an interesting and fun coworker. And I was surprised at one point in time running into him with his family and friends in the parking lot of one of the Amana Colonies restaurants in Iowa. A very fun surprise. Our condolences to your family at this time.
Sarah and Dan Jaecks

Suzie Curtis

November 10, 2025

D 11 sent me to Russell to open the school up for evening classes, I was given a desk in Oile's library . New Territory, new staff, new assignment but Olie made me feel welcomed and right at home. Every time I went to the Library I knew I'd find a welcome friend. He made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in my work. We had a flamingo's in your yard/cards 'thing ' going which still makes me smile. Olie, you were so loved by so many!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elaine Taravella

November 9, 2025

Such an all-around great man! I was privileged to work with him for six years at Russell during the late 80s/early 90s and never forgot him. Any time I hear anything about the Sons of Norway, I think of Ole. I will fondly remember his kindness, wit, and good humor. My sincere condolences to his family.

Alan

November 9, 2025

Mr. Bakken, you were one of those rare teachers that your students remember with gratitude and even love. It's been more than 60 years when you were my teacher at North Junior, but I still can hear you at the front of the classroom, respecting and inspiring us young minds with our brains full of mush. I think you were one of maybe a mere half-dozen teachers and profs I had in my 16 years of schooling that really still shine in my memory. Thank you, sir.

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