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Donna Lou Bakke May 6,1934 - September 25, 2025 of Lindstrom

Donna Bakke lived a full and colorful life, marked by creativity, compassion, and a love of animals and sweets. Donna was an only child born during the Great Depression. Her mother showed her the art of hospitality, always offering refreshments to anyone that stopped over. Donna took that concept to heart, but in her case she was known for bringing candy or donuts to many activities or functions. Her father taught her to buy things when they were a “good deal” in case you might need them.

Donna grew up in St. Paul. She graduated from Central High School in 1952. Donna met Manford through a mutual friend. During their dating years Donna and Manford would travel on motorcycle with Donna’s parents for various rides.  She married Manford Bakke in 1954. A short time later Manford was stationed in Germany. Donna joined him and they lived there for almost two years. Their son Donnie was born there. When Manford’s stint in the Army was done, they moved back to Minnesota. The next year their daughter Cindy was born.

During the early years in Minnesota after the Army, Manford started to do cement work. He started his own masonry business, and Donna did the paperwork.  First in St. Paul and later when the family and business moved to Lindstrom. During winter months when it was too cold in Minnesota to pour concrete, they would attend the National Conference for the masonry association in a southern state and enjoy the warmer climate. They bonded and became close friends with many of the people they met through the concrete business. When Manford died Donna still went south for a period of time and reconnected with friends they had made on those trips.

Because of her deep love for animals, Donna was known to stop her blue Saturn and feed any type of animal, furry or feathered, and occasionally even those in a shell. In her purse she usually carried a few dog biscuits. Her last beloved pet, Millie was a kitten that she rescued after it got caught under the tire of a car her grandson was working on. Millie could have stood for millionaire, for what was invested in that kitten, since no expense was spared to achieve perfect health for that kitten.

Donna was interested in many kinds of hobbies and crafts, she tried a plethora of options. She spent many years honing her skills on china painting. When she wintered in Arizona she filled her time doing craft projects with the others in the RV park. For a few years she sewed with some local quilters in Chisago City. In 2001 she helped start the Prayer Blanket Ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lindstrom. She spent many hours selecting the perfect fleece that was transformed into tied blankets for members of the congregation and community members. The local bakery probably had a financial deficit when Donna was unable to drive there anymore and pick up pastries. She was known for bringing items to church, crafting time and on the casino bus.

The family immensely appreciates the love and care that Gordon Manor in California provided Donna. We never worried about her there, since you treated her just like family. When we relocated her there, she was closer to Elizabeth and her family. Donna was reinvigorated and was able to walk throughout the entire complex, pushing her walker and picking up treasures along the way.

Donna is survived by her daughter, Cindy Kaske (Roger); granddaughters Amy Darby (Trey), Elizabeth Kaske (Chris Purpura); great grandchildren, Brody Kaske, Michael Rubin, Baby Theo Purpura, Macey Bernabe. She was preceded in death by her husband Manford, son Donnie, grandson Michael Kaske, parents Donald and Luella Nagy,

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 5, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lindstrom. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at church.   Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Lindstrom. 

Memorials are preferred to the Prayer Blanket Ministry at Trinity Lutheran in Lindstrom or a no-kill animal shelter - Northwoods Humane Society or Saint Francis of Assisi in her name, to honor her love of animals. In memory of Donna, put out a treat for some animal to enjoy.  She will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever loved. 

Arrangements by Grandstrand Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Lindstrom.  Condolences maybe expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com

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