Karlton I. “Karl” Bakke, Major, USAF (Retired)
August 17, 1941 – July 18, 2018

Karlton (Karl) I. BAKKE, Age 76 of Roseville Moved to his heavenly home with his Lord Jesus on July 18, 2018.

Karlton (Karl) Bakke was born in Red Wing, MN on August 17, 1941. His family lived on a farm near Zumbrota, MN where he learned to appreciate both his Christian and family heritage.

He graduated from Zumbrota High School in 1959 and from Augsburg College, Mpls., MN in 1964. He entered the United States Air Force in 1964 where he was an Air Traffic Controller; a C-141 pilot and a HH-53 Jolly Green Giant Rescue Helicopter pilot. He served in Vietnam from May 1970 – May 1971. He retired from the Air Force in 1985 with the rank of Major.

His decorations include the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Merito-rious Service Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with Five Oak Leaf Clusters and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. He attended the Lay Ministry Training Center for one year after leaving the Air Force before accepting a job in the Controller’s Department of 3M. He later worked for Imation Corporation, Eastman Kodak, Oak River Technologies, PaR Systems, and The Reserve.

Karl married Deanna Moore in Oakland, CA in 1968. After Deanna’s passing in 2016, Karl married Eunice at North Heights Lutheran Church in Arclerillills, MN on October 14, 2017.
Graveside service where in Westby, WI, on August 1 at 1 pm at the Coon Prairie Lutheran Church with Cori] Richardson, United States Air Force, Retired, officiating.

By Karl Bakke Family

Major Karl Bakke, Air Force Pilot, Rescue Pilot in the Vietnam war and Silver Star Recipient.
Officer Christian Fellowship. Loved by all.

Proceeded in death, parents; Arnold Marvin Bakke & Isabel Caroline Hunder, wife; Deanna. Survived by his wife Eunice, 2 children, eight grandchildren, 2 sisters, 1 brothers, nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services were on July 31st.

Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War

Service: Air Force

Rank: Captain

GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Karlton I. Bakke, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force near Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam, on 26 February 1971, On that date, Captain Bakke, as Aircraft commander of an HH-53 Rescue Helicopter, rescued two United Air Force aircrew men from certain death or capture by hostile armed forces. With full knowledge of the extent of hostile fire in the area and complete disregard for his own personal safety, and despite the helicopter’s receiving numerous hits by ground fire, Captain Bakke persisted in his hover over the two survivors until they were safely hoisted aboard his aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Bakke has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

~ Guest Book ~

July 31, 2018
We are so grateful and blessed to have had such a wonderful friend. Karl and Deanna were our Alpha leaders in the fall of 2000 and it is because of them that we were led to the Lord. From there we developed a wonderful friendship and shared activities at North Heights and at our homes.

We greatly respected his military service and his participation in the patriotic services at church. Karl was a humble man who carried the banner of Christianity and touched many people. It was very obvious that he loved the Lord and was eager to spread His word.

We loved Deanna and were happy to share the joy of his wedding to Eunice. She has become a good friend also and we share her loss.

Karl’s legacy will endure with all who knew him and we look forward to seeing him again in Paradise.
John and Karen Freed, Forest Lake, MN

July 30, 2018
It was my pleasure to work (years ago) with Karl in establishing what became the MN OCF. I had no previous experience in OCF, but Karl’s firsthand testimony inspired my participation as the first military chaplain in organizing this unique chapter of OCF in an non-active duty (but all reserve) setting. He really was Mr. OCF in MN; and it is most fitting that memorials go to OCF in his name. Thank you, Karl, for your faithful witness to Christ. Surely you have heard Him say Well done, my good and faithful servant. – Ken Beale, US Army Chaplain (COL-Ret)
Ken Beale, Woodbury, MN

July 29, 2018
Karl and I carried the American flag and the Christian flag for the North Heights service on the Fourth of July to honor the veterans and police/fireman/emts who have served their country.Karl was a friend and a great Christian who will be missed by many but I will always remember him most in his uniform. He will be honored in heaven. John McCally, North Heights deacon

July 28, 2018
I am thankful for Karl Bakke, a man of great faith, a man who led myself and my wife to the Lord through the ministry of the Officers Christian Fellowship. We came to the Lord through Karl’s invitation to attend the OCF Spring Canyon retreat center together in 19976. He and his wife ministered to us and we came to Know Christ as our personal savior. I first met Karl when we were stationed at Da Nang Vietnam from 1970-1971, I was there and welcomed him home from flying a combat rescue mission and saving the life of a down US airman. From when I first met Karl I saw the Lord Jesus in him and then through the years that we served together in the Air Force Christ became real to me through the personal testimony of Karl. I am saddened that I did not see him before he passed to be with the Lord. But I am joyful that I know he is with Christ today.
Ed and Carolyn Harrow, USAF, Retired, Tucson, AZ

July 28, 2018
Karl and Deanna took us to Spring Canyon in the summer of 1975, and it was there that we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. We are forever grateful that they were persistent in getting us to go with them. Our lives have never been the same!
Thank you, Lotd for sending Karl to us and for his unshakeable faith in all circumstances. Whenever I was in Karl’s presence, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit so strongly, that it would make me weep. I can remember when I told him that he was so humbled. But, that is how I remember him.
Ed and Carolyn Harrow
Ed and Carolyn Harrow, Tucson, AZ
E
July 24, 2018
Kelley and Annette Dutcher, Otsego, MN

July 23, 2018
Karl’s dedication to OCF was superb! He will be greatly missed! A Christian Officer who really made a difference! We grieve with his family.
Paul & Roxanne Cibuzar
Paul Cibuzar, Nisswa, MN

July 23, 2018
Floral Arrangement courtesy of
a loved one
America the Beautiful

July 23, 2018
Karl was such a wonderful caretaker of all of the cadets and midshipmen in the ROTC programs at the University of St. Thomas and University of Minnesota. His work was so critical in providing a space for us to grow in our faith during a rigorous, and at times stressful, training program. I will never forget his support for me and my peers. I would also be remiss not to mention the fact that Karl served with great distinction in the Air Force. He was so admirably humble that he never mentioned his Silver Star, but he earned one for displaying incredible valor in the skies over Vietnam. What a truly incredible man…he will be missed.
Anna B., Pensacola, FL

July 23, 2018
Karl was such a blessing to the ROTC students at the “U” and UST by regularly providing free pizza lunches and bringing in Christian officers to share their testimony and experiences. All who came were blessed. You will be missed.
Bob Holthouse

July 23, 2018
Great leader in Officers Christian Fellowship in Twin Cities. He became mr. OCF.
leonard JANKOWSKI, loretto, MN

July 23, 2018
leonard jankowski, loretto, MN

July 23, 2018
Kevin Lindquist

July 23, 2018
Karl and his family were great neighbors of ours in Albuquerque. Our children grew up playing together. After our lives went in separate directions we remained in contact with each other and from time to time we visited each other. We always admired their dedication to their Christian faith. We are happy that Karl is with his Savior, Jesus Christ in Heaven. Sympathies to the family.
Greg and Wanda Walts, Avon, IN

July 22, 2018
I’m sorry for the great loss you are all suffering. May Karl rest in peace and you all find comfort in your memories. He will be greatly missed.
Rachelle Dahl, Lakeville, MN