Marilyn Elaine Bakke

June 17, 1937 — September 10, 2025

Grand Forks

Marilyn Elaine Bakke, age 88, resident of Grand Forks, ND, passed away on September 10, 2025, at her home. She was born in Willow City, ND to Arthur and Minda (Langseth) Sasse on June 17, 1937. The family moved to Williston, ND in 1944. Marilyn graduated as co-salutatorian from Williston High School in 1955. She attended Dickinson State Teachers College for one year before marrying her high school sweetheart, Jerome Bakke, on September 15, 1956, in Williston. Marilyn was a stay-at-home Mom with her four children. The family moved to Dickinson, ND, Marilyn returned to college at Dickinson State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with her bachelor’s degree in education. Once the family moved to Grand Forks, Marilyn got a job as an elementary teacher for Grand Forks Public Schools. She taught primarily 3rd and 4th grades for over 30 years at West Elementary until her retirement in 2000.

Marilyn and Jerry took many trips to the West Coast, Vancouver Island and to New Zealand to visit their daughter Roxanne and family. Once they retired, they took an annual trip with their daughter, Suzanne and son-in-law, Richard. They traveled mainly to Hawaii, but also took trips to: Costa Rica, Mexico, Florida and Alaska.

Marilyn enjoyed many hobbies including: painting ceramics, Christmas egg ornaments, gardening in her flamingo garden, making cards and writing stories about her life experiences, entertaining her friends and family at holiday parties, celebrating birthdays and hosting her famous flamingo luncheon. Some of Marilyn’s most treasured memories were catching a 50 pound King Salmon in Alaska, ziplining in Hawaii, jet boating in New Zealand, riding a hot air balloon in Phoenix, float plane in Alaska and a helicopter in Hawaii.

Marilyn was a member of the North Dakota Retired Teachers Association and a long-time member of Calvary Lutheran Church.

Marilyn is survived by her daughters: Roxanne Bakke of Pakuranga, New Zealand; Suzanne (Richard) Maxwell of Soldotna, AK; and Sandra (Wayne) Wagner of Fargo, ND; five grandchildren: Serina Calhoun of San Francisco, CA; Dr. Tessa Calhoun (Dr. Ben Doughty) of Knoxville, TN; Trent (Erin) Wagner of Arthur, ND; Jacob Quax of Pakuranga, New Zealand and Theo Quax of Pakuranga and Flagstaff, AZ; four great grand children: Nolan Doughty, Iris Doughty, McKenna Wagner and Madison Wagner; sister, Gloria Sasse; niece, Ronnet Sasse of Platte City, MO; sister, Carol (John) Miller of Kokomo, IN; nephew, Jeffrey (Meghan) Miller and their children: Brynn, Levi, Tate and Rueben of Indianapolis, IN.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome Bakke; parents Arthur and Minda Sasse; in-laws, George and Hilda Bakke; son Randy Bakke and her son-in-law, Dick Quax.

A Funeral Service will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church at 11:00am on Thursday, September 18, 2025. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at Memorial Park North Cemetery.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made directly to: