Ardis Bakke, 87, of Fertile, MN, died on Wednesday, December 7, 2011, at the Riverview Care Center, Crookston, MN.

She was born on December 2, 1924, to Henry and Ida (Feig) Toensing at Alexandria, MN. Ardis was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Alexandria. She graduated from the Alexandria High School in 1942 and Northwest Institute Technology in 1945. Ardis was employed at Northwest Clinic in Crookston from 1945 until her marriage.

On June 18, 1948, Ardis was united in marriage to Oscar Bakke at Alexandria. For the next several years Ardis stayed busy with being a farmer's wife and raising her children. In 1969, when her children were raised, Ardis returned to Northwest Clinic in Crookston working in the lab, as an orthopedic assistant, and helping in welfare accounts. She retired in 1989. Since her retirement, Ardis has remained busy in the community, at Little Norway Lutheran Church, holding several offices and serving as Sunday school teacher, many organizations and as a mother and grandmother. Oscar died in July of 1995. She was a tremendous advocate for the elderly in our area. Ardis was involved with arranging programs, meals on wheels, assisting with transportation and paperwork and any other way of caring for those who couldn't care for themselves. She also enjoyed the Red Hatters club, Homemakers, Bible Study, and volunteering at the Agassiz Nature Center.

Ardis was a unique and engaging person. Facing situations and life's circumstances as they are instead of what she wanted them to be was a tremendous asset for her and her family. Her faith in Jesus was a confidence that went beyond words and ideas to a lifestyle that reflected God's work in her life. She enjoyed tending to her yard and flowers, crossword puzzles, the arts of any kind, shopping for a bargain, being outdoors, fishing, travelling and reading. However, Ardis' greatest pass time was attending her grandchildren's events—sports, music, or drama.

Ardis is survived by two sons: Bradley (Jean), and Brent, Fertile, MN; one daughter, Barbara (Tom) Kaiser, Springfield, OH; five grandchildren; one sister, Leone Raap, Alexandria, MN; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, and husband, Oscar, and a brother, Allen.

Memorial services will be held on 10:30am on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at in the Little Norway Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 13, 2011, from 5:00-7:00pm, with a Prayer Service at 6:30pm at the Erikson-Vik Funeral Home, Fertile, MN.