Obituary and Gravestone: Ole E. Bakke

Ole contracted tuberculosis and died at the young age of 45 on 13 Jul 1902. At the time Ellen was pregnant with their youngest, Ole Ernest, who was born a few months later on 27 Oct. The Decorah Posten published his obituary on 18 Jul.


Obituary. Ole E. Bakke (Decorah Posten, 18 Jul 1902). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

The following English translation was also by Verla Williams:

The 18th July 1902.

Deceased.

Ole E. Bakke, son of Erik Bakke of Washington Prairie, died on Sunday in Elkader, Ia. where he went some weeks ago. He was about 47 years old and leaves his wife and 8 children of which the oldest is 10 and the youngest about 1 year old.

Bakke had been sickly a long time and the sickness developed into tuberculosis finally, ending his life. He had lived the most of his life here in the county. The body was brought to Ossian last Monday and from there it was taken to Washington Prairie for burial. The funeral took place with large participation Wednesday. The deceased leaves behind a large number of friends who deeply regret his early passing.

From a personal friend of the deceased has the "Decorah Posten" received the following:

“Another of them, who exceptionally understood to (win or improve) his fellow human beings, is passed away. It is possible that they who knew Ole E. Bakke best did not correctly understand what honor he had for all those with whom he cultivated friendly company. Ole Bakke was a warm hearted and dependable gentleman. He loved his friends and felt no inclination to find fault with them. This distinguished him therefore, that there always was gladness when he came from his home and mingled with them. Few men have been as beloved as he was. He had faith in his friends and in his straightforward manner he gave accord, that such was. There are greater men than he was but few will be more embraced. Life would be easier for Ole Bakke’s friends if he still were among them; but now has fate willed it otherwise and they can only tell him thanks for what he was. Farewell!"

Ole was buried in the Washington Prairie Lutheran Cemetery in Springfield Township, Winneshiek County.


Washington Prairie Lutheran Church (Springfield, Winneshiek, IA). Image courtesy of Lutherans Restoring Creation.


Gravestone. Ole E. Bakke (1856-1902). Image courtesy of Iowa Gravestone Photo Project.