Ruth Marie Bakke

Ruth Marie Peterson Bakke, was born April 22, 1929, at the old Logeson House in Blanchardville, WI. Her parents were Alvin S. Peterson and Dorothy Christine Bendixen Peterson. Her siblings are Allen Theadore Peterson, Charles Lynn (deceased) Peterson, Thea Mae Peterson Stecker, and Ingrid Peterson Strimbu. Her father was a teacher and they moved from Blanchardville to Weyauwega, WI, from there they moved to Phillips, WI, where she spent her elementary years. In high school, her family moved to Wautoma, WI. She graduated from Wautoma High School in 1948. She then went on to St. Olaf in Minnesota for her freshman year of college and sang in the St. Olaf Choir. She transferred to the University of Wisconsin and majored in Social Work. After college, she applied to be a Naval Officer, but was denied entrance for reasons unknown. Her desire to be a leader led her into a life of leading community organizations.

Ruth met Bernhard at the Lutheran House at the University of Wisconsin. They were married October 24, 1953. They moved to Beloit where Bernhard was employed. They had Paul Sigmund in 1955, and Kirsten Ann in 1957. Bernhard was transferred to Colorado with Sundstrand and they relocated to Denver in 1958. Althea Marie was born in 1961 and Eric Charles was born in 1963. They became charter members of Mountain View Lutheran 1958. They purchased their home in 1959 on Solana Drive and lived there for 59 years.

Ruth was actively involved in the lives of her children through Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church activities, and school activities. She directed the choir, was involved in church committees and served on the church council. She organized numerous Vacation Bible Schools, Women’s retreats, let women’s Bible studies (CIRCLE) and led the Lutheran Church Women. She began working in 1968 as an activity director for Sunny Acres Retirement Homes. She then went on to be a social worker for Denver Department of Social Services until her retirement in the 90’s. In addition to work, she participated in Lutheran Brotherhood Community Projects and served on the board for the local chapter. She participated with the Urban League of Denver helping the homeless. She was actively involved in education, her community, politics (serving as an election judge for numerous elections), and serving her Lord through church activities.

She loved her children and grandchildren, including step-grandchildren. She loved her siblings equally. She loved family get-togethers, celebrating nieces, nephews, and enjoyed spending time with all extended family and church family. She loved to sing. A high soprano, she sang for weddings and funerals and for any event she was asked to sing. She played her flute for worship services and made sure that all of her children had the experience and love of music.

She bought everything her kids sold. She paid for years of college. She gave to hundreds of charity organizations, and would have given everything she had if she could have. She was a giver.

She loved taking her children on mountain picnics, and camping, and exposed them to the art of bowling. She loved her Rockies’ games, her Broncos, and the competitiveness of card games. She was always designing. In her architect mind, she designed and developed a complex service network for the church, and re-wrote the constitution numerous times. She even designed a new sanctuary which she never saw actualized. Her latter years were spent in the moment. Enjoying every visit from every person who came to see her. She enjoyed watching funny televisions shows, wheelchair bowling, and singing the hymns on Sundays and being with family and friends. She passed into glory October 16th, at 7:45 a.m. at the Lakewood Meridian in Lakewood, CO.

She is survived by her loving children; Paul (Susan) Bakke, Kirsten (Chuck) Johnson, Ramy Bakke, and Eric (Laura) Bakke, 12 grandchildren; Luke Bakke, Nathaniel Bakke, Miriam Jordano, David Bakke, Storm Lysaker, Audrey Lysaker, Soren Lysaker, Mark Bakke, Sarah Johnson, Meredith Bakke, Bartley Johnson, and Rory Lysaker, 2 great grandchildren; Jonny Jordano, and Jireh Jordano, siblings: - Allen Peterson, Thea Stecker, and Ingrid Strimbu. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Bernhard J. Bakke, Jr., a brother Charles Peterson, and her parents, Alvin and Dorothy Peterson. Two days of visitation, Sunday, October 26th, from 2-5pm, and Monday, October 27th, from 4-7pm. Services Tuesday, October 28th, 10:30am, at Mountain View Lutheran Church, 1481 Russell Way, Thornton, 80229. A reception will follow the church service and then she will laid to rest at 1pm at Olinger Highland Cemetery in Thornton, CO.