Orville Louis Bakken

Dec. 15, 1923 - Feb. 12, 2014

Lou Bakken, age 90, of Englewood passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. He and his wife Marj, of 68 years, had recently been residing at Village On The Isle in Venice. In addition to his wife, he is survived by four daughters and their husbands, Mick and Wendy Harrigan of Fayetteville, Ga., Paul and Nancy Kiszely of El Paso, TX, Mitch and Barb West of Placida, FL and Campbell and Patty Gaunt of Englewood, FL. Additional family members include 9 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, a brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Nissy Bakken of Cooperstown, ND, sister Shirley Kleingartner of Algona, IA and their families. Lou was predeceased by sister Evelyn Moody of Bradenton, FL.

Born on December 15, 1923 in Hankinson, North Dakota, Lou proudly served during WWII with the U.S. Marine Corps. He obtained a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the Univ of Minnesota in 1949. He spent the early part of his career as an Electrical Engineer with General Electric Company in Syracuse, NY.

Lou and Marj relocated to Englewood in 1969 after purchasing what is now Gulf Coast True Value Hardware. The hardware store remains in the family to this day. Lou was a member of the Englewood United Methodist Church and served actively in the community for the past 45 years. He was past president of the Englewood Chamber of Commerce, the Englewood Rotary Club, served on the building committee of EUMC and on the Board of Directors of both Englewood and Barnett Bank. During this time he and Marj also enjoyed time spent at their second home on Slick Rock Mountain in Brevard, NC. Lou truly loved and appreciated all of God's great outdoors, including the beautiful sunsets over Lemon Bay and the Blue Ridge mountains.

He will be remembered most by his positive attitude, loving and generous heart, and ever-present smile.

Lemon Bay Funeral Home and Cremation Services is in Charge of arrangements.

You may express your condolences to the family at lemonbayfh.com