Gladys J Bakken

Gladys J. (Falcon) Bakken, 85, Bismarck, died March 23, 2015, at home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 Noon Friday, March 27, at Church of St. Mary, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Thursday, March 26, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil/rosary service will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck. Gladys was born November 23, 1929, in Trenton, ND, the daughter of Alphonse (Alfred) and Mary Louise (Vandall) Falcon. She was baptized at St. Joseph’s Church in Williston, ND. She attended school in Trenton, ND, and boarding school in Chamberlain, SD. On October 20, 1950, Gladys was united in marriage to Everelle Bakken in Miles City, MT. They had one daughter, Diana. The couple resided in Williston until moving to Bismarck in 2011. Gladys enjoyed gardening. She always had a green thumb. Her yard was always filled with flowers and a variety of vegetables. She also enjoyed painting. She would paint the woodworking items Everelle made. She would crochet while watching television and made many items for her grandchildren including baby blankets, layettes including baptism gowns, dollies, and afghans. Her family received many of these for special occasions. Gladys tried quilting with her daughter, Diana. They enjoyed many hours of cutting and piecing while Diana sewed. Gladys enjoyed traveling with Everelle. They traveled to many different places while Gladys was working on her “Falcon Descendants” genealogy book which she published in 1993. They cruised to the Caribbean and Hawaii with Ardean and Diana and their families. They went with daughter, Diana, and son-in-law, Ardean, and grandchildren, to celebrate Diana and Ardean’s 30th wedding anniversary at Walt Disney World. In later years, they traveled with Diana and Ardean in their motorhome visiting grandchildren and sites along the way. Gladys is survived by her daughter, Diana (Ardean) Harstad, Bismarck; her grandchildren, David (Shannon) Harstad, Cooperstown, ND, Michele Robertsdahl, Farmington, MN, Steven (Charity) Harstad, Bismarck, Amy (Matt) Haugen, Williston, ND, and Aaron Harstad, Bismarck, ND; her great-grandchildren, Mitchel, Michaela, Brie, Andrew, Nicholas, Danielle, Stephan, Alexis, Dominick, Quinn, and Ellianna; one great-great-granddaughter, Aurora. She is also survived by one sister, Marie Unger, Williston, ND; two brothers-in-law, Vernel and Ronald, AZ; sisters-in-law, Bernice, OR, Elinor Falcon, Kalispell, MT, and Blanche Falcon, Bismarck; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Everelle; her parents, Alfred and Mary Falcon; her in-laws, Emil and Julia Bakken; her granddaughter, Lindsey; her brothers-in-law, Orlene, Mike, Dayton; her brothers, Lawrence, Walter, Finley, Joe, and Jim; sister, Dolly; and sister-in-law, Louise.

Gladys J Bakken

November 23, 1929 - March 23, 2015