Keith Bakken

Keith Bakken, age 68, of Spillville, IA, passed away Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water St., in Decorah.  Burial will follow at Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Keith Bakken was born in Decorah, IA on August 3, 1956, to Nels & Betty (Gilbert) Bakken.

He attended Decorah Schools and then worked at Deco Products in Decorah until he retired.

Keith never married and enjoyed living by himself until he moved into a house he shared with his brother Randy.  He never missed family gatherings with his nine brothers & sisters.

Keith enjoyed deer & squirrel hunting along with fishing and camping with family & friends, and would love to take peaceful walks around Lake Meyer when he got bored.

Keith enjoyed attending many of the Pheasants Forever banquets and wild game feeds at the Fox & Coon Club, as well as others in the area, with his brother, Rick. He always seemed especially lucky with the prize drawings at these outings and accumulated a nice collection of guns & rifles that he won while attending these events.

Keith's other hobbies included collecting Native American artwork & dream catchers, along with a very nice collection of wolf-related art and paraphernalia.

Keith spent his last 6 months at Wellington Place in Decorah, where he was taken very good care of by their staff and received very special attention from his sister Becky, who made sure he was happy there and had an adequate supply of Mountain Dew, Pepsi & Love at all times.

Keith is survived by his siblings: Sandra (the late Arnie) Dotzler, Belvidere, IL, Robert (Peggy) Bakken, Isanti, MN, Becky (Darcy) Rosendahl, Ridgeway, IA, Reg (Amy) Bakken, Decorah, IA, Tom Bakken, Cresco, IA, Rick (Julie) Bakken, Decorah, IA, and Mary Ann (Steve) Leonard, Cherry Valley, IL. Brother-in-law: Gary Dotzler, Roscoe, IL. Many nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Nels & Betty (Gilbert) Bakken, sister: Dianne Dotzler, brother: Randy Bakken, nephew: Darin Bakken, brother- in-law: Arnie Dotzler, paternal grandparents: Knut & Bertha Bakken, maternal grandparents: Oscar & Bertha Gilbert.