Kenneth LaVerne Bakken, age 77, of rural Ettrick, died on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 in his home.

Ken was born on May 25, 1938 in the town of Gale, Trempealeau County, WI to Joseph and Clara (Greenwold) Bakken. He married Alice Crivits on February 3, 1968 in the French Creek Lutheran Church in rural Ettrick.

Ken graduated from the Galesville-Ettrick High School in 1956 and attended WWTC in LaCrosse for tool and die. He worked for American Motors in Kenosha for a few years and then was employed at Outer Labs in Brice Prairie for 42 years prior to his retirement.

Kenneth was a kind, quiet and soft hearted man. He had a good sense of humor and loved animals. Ken enjoyed playing the guitar, playing cards, hunting, trout fishing, the Green Bay Packers and the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Alice; two daughters, Dawn (Doug) Stephans of Holland, MI and Lori Bolte of Ettrick; five grandchildren, Ryan and Greg Stephans and Kyle, Blake and Lorissa Bolte; a brother, Gary (Sue) Bakken of Ettrick; two sisters, Darlene Redsten and Eileen (Robert) Severson both of Galesville.

In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Renning; two brothers-in-law, Clinton Renning and Jerome Redsten and a nephew, Steve Renning.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the French Creek Lutheran Church with burial in the church cemetery both in rural Ettrick. Pastor Anna Sorenson will officiate.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 29, 2015 from 4-8 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Blair and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.