Lorraine Bakke, age 87, of Twin Valley, MN, died Sunday, April 1st, 2012, in her home.

Clarice Lorraine (Skansgaard) Bakke was born February 3rd, 1925, the daughter of Oscar and Ruth (Stolen) Skansgaard in Flom Township. She was baptized and confirmed her faith in Wild Rice Lutheran Church, where Lorraine remained a lifetime member. As a youngster, Lorraine attended Sunny Hill country school in that area. As a young woman, Lorraine helped her parents on the farm as well as caring for her grandmother. On March 17, 1946, Lorraine was united in marriage to Leonard Bakke in the Wild Rice Lutheran Parsonage. The couple first made their home in Fosston, MN, for a short time before purchasing a farmstead in Flom Township. In the 1960's, Lorraine and her good friend, Olga Stundahl began a painting and wood finishing business in the local area that continued for over 40 years. After Leonard's death on March 26, 2005, Lorraine continued to live on the farm where she had lived for nearly 66 years.

Lorraine was an active member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, taking part in circle and ladies aid. In her retirement, Lorraine spent endless hours researching and recording information for the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery. Over the years, Lorraine enjoyed traveling, working in her yard and caring for her beautiful flower beds. She loved spending time with her friends and family and truly treasured the time she spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to which she was affectionately known as "Cookie Grandma"

Lorraine is survived by two sons, Larry (Susan) of Phoenix, AZ and Lyle (Margit) of Flom, MN; a nephew, Wayne Bakke of Fertile, MN; five grandchildren, Sonja (Matt) Roy, Sarah (Matt) Kjono, Heather (Dan) Nelson, Erik (Mindy) Bakke and Brian (Jackie) Bakke; eight great-grandchildren, Claudia Roy, Meredith Roy, Anikka Bakke, Soren Bakke, Trygg Bakke, Axel Kjono, Mina Kjono and Lucas Nelson.

Her parents, husband and two brothers, Robert and Ingvald Skansgaard, preceded her in death.

Visitation was Friday, April 6, 2012 from 4 to 7 PM in the Anderson Funeral Home, Twin Valley.
Funeral Services were held Saturday, April 7th at 11:00 AM in Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley. Visitation was also one hour before services at the church on Saturday. Officiating was Pastor Al Brooks with Jolee Habedank serving as organist. Special music was provided by Sig and Margie Peterson, Annika Plummer, Paul Larsen and Lowell Larsen. Pallbearers were Erik Bakke, Brian Bakke, Daniel Nelson, Matt Roy, Matt Kjono, Wayne Stundahl, Gerald Skansgaard, Mike Baukol, Bruce Rude, Greg Syverson, Jerry Osmondson and Keith Christianson. Honorary pallbearers were Sonja Roy, Sarah Kjono, Heather Nelson, Mindy Bakke, Jackie Bakke and great-grandchildren, Claudia Roy, Meredith Roy, Anikka Bakke, Soren Bakke, Trygg Bakke, Axel Kjono, Mina Kjono and Lucas Nelson.

Interment was in Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley.