Lloyd Jacob "Bud" Bakken

Lloyd (Bud) Jacob Bakken

Lloyd Jacob Bakken was born on August 25, 1925 in Platte, SD to Jacob and Jenny (Koster) Bakken. Lloyd attended Platte High School and graduated in 1943.

After high school Lloyd joined the Navy Sea Bee's where he was a demolition man. He helped take the Island of Okinawa from Japan to end World War ll in the Pacific. Lloyd was a member of the Platte Legion Post 115.

On September 4, 1946 he was married to Doris Mae Cooley at the West Trinity Church. They farmed west of Platte all of their married life and were blessed with three children.

Lloyd died on February 19, 2026 at the age of 100 years.

Lloyd is survived by his daughter Linda Fite and son Steven (Barbara) Bakken; five grandchildren: Ann, Lee, Jennifer, Krysta and Andrew; and four great-great grandchildren.

Lloyd is preceded in death by his wife Doris, son Kenneth, sister Violet, and brother Bruce.

Nature's Church

by Yvonne Hollenbeck

Have you ever seen the prairie when it's covered up with snow,

or watched a setting sun and seen the purple afterglow?

Have you ever seen a newborn calf a-wobbling to its feet,

and though it's only minutes old, it knows just where to eat.

You can't climb upon a saddle horse and cross the prairie sod,

or see an eagle on the wing and not believe in God.

A cowboy doesn't worship in a building made of stone;

he worships with his Maker out with nature, all alone.

His church is in the great outdoors, the valley is heaven's gate;

his favorite hymn's a coyote that is calling to its mate.

He may not do his tithing dropping money in a hand;

but by being a good caretaker to the creatures and the land.

He makes his own communion as a choir of songbirds sing,

as he cups his hands and drinks the fresh cold water from a spring.

With the budding of the springtime, as with autumn's goldenrod,

there's no better place to worship than to be out there with God.

So, when you hear a meadowlark that's singing from its perch,

it's inviting you to worship with it there at Nature's Church.