Esther F. Bakke

Esther F. Bakke, age 94 of Westby, died on January 18, 2008. Esther F. Bakke, age 94 of Westby, died on January 18, 2008. She was born March 6th, 1913 in the Town of Christiana to Peter and Caroline (Olson) Flugstad. She was baptized and confirmed in Our Saviors Lutheran Church where she was a lifetime member. She attended Westby High School, graduated Red Wing Seminary and the then LaCrosse State Teachers College in the Rural Department. She taught in the rural schools in Vernon County for seven years. She married Victor Bakke on April 2, 1938 in Decorah, Iowa; and they made their home in Westby. She taught Sunday school for twenty years, seven as superintendent. She was active in the WELCA, the Hannah Circle and sang in the choir. She was church treasurer, financial secretary and parish office secretary for many years. She was a den mother in the Cub Scout program for five years. She was a volunteer at the Senior Citizens Nutrition meal site. She was a member of Sons of Norway, former member of Norseland Auxiliary and the Westby Area Historical Society. She taught a few sessions of Norwegian evening classes at Westby and Viroqua sponsored by Western Technical College. Preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Caroline (Olson) Flugstad and her husband, Victor S. Bakke, and her brother and sister in law, Kenneth and Marian Flugstad and her sister in law, Marian Flugstad. She is survived by two sons, Alan Victor and his wife Kathy, M. Russell and his wife Leslie, by six grandchildren, 7 great- grandchildren and a brother, Luther Flugstad, along with many very dear nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Westby, Wisconsin. Pastor Gary Daines will officiate with interment at Our Saviors Lutheran Church Cemetery. Friends may call at the church after 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.