Arlene Bakken

Arlene M Bakken 95, of Alexandria, MN, formerly of Wahpeton, ND, passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Alexandria.  Her funeral service will be on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 11 AM, with visitation one hour prior to service at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.  Pastor Jake Dyrhaug will officiate the service.  A live stream of the services will be available to view on the funeral home’s website.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wahpeton Senior Center. Burial will be held at a later date in Fairview Memorial Gardens, Wahpeton. Arrangements have been entrusted to Vertin-Munson funeral home, Wahpeton.

Arlene Marian Jenson was born November 1, 1926, to Jens and Minnie (Knutson) Jenson on a farm near Osakis, MN, in Todd County.  She was confirmed and baptized at the local Lutheran church near Osakis.  She completed eight grades in country school, graduating in 1941.  She then attended Osakis High School, graduating in 1945.

Arlene then moved to Fargo, ND, where she started working at Powers Hotel Coffee Shop as a waitress, then on to Sweetheart Bakery as a bookkeeper.  There she met Al Bakken, and they were married on February 14, 1947.  They made their home in Fargo until May 1949, when they decided to move to Wahpeton.  She was a stay-at-home mom until the 3 boys went off to school.  After that, she started work at the Sears and Roebuck Catalog, then on to Hausauer Beverages, Home Gas and Electric, then finally Loll Auto, retiring as a bookkeeper in 1988.

She kept active, being a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Senior Citizens Center, and the WBA (Women’s Bowling Association).  She was an avid bowler, missing only a few games in her 50-year span.  She also enjoyed fishing, camping, and attending as many family reunions as she could.  After retirement, she loved spending winters in Florida and her trips to the casino.

Arlene is survived by 2 sons, Jeff (Barb) Bakken and John (Kathy) Bakken; daughter-in-law, Karen Bakken; 5 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and her sister, Bev Asmus.

Arlene's Memorial Folder

She is preceded in death by her husband, Al of 63 years; son, Jerry Bakken; parents, Jens and Minnie Jenson; stepmother, Katherine “Kate” Jenson; siblings, Victoria (Clinton) Mikkelson and Ernest (Erva) Jenson; stepsiblings, Marie (Victor) Walter and Margie (Jim) Aurzada.