Knute Aksel Bakke

Knute was born in Leavenworth, Washington to Norwegian Immigrant parents; Inga Dorthea Mork Bakke and Magnus Bakke. He died on April 14, 2018 at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee.
In 1953, he graduated from Leavenworth High School where he had been a valued member of the Ski Team. He went on to ski for Wenatchee Valley Community College and graduated in 1955. Knute is a U.S. Army Veteran who served in Korea. Upon his return home to Leavenworth, he worked for the County of Chelan as a surveyor. In 1961, he began his career with the U.S.F.S. (United States Forest Service) working out of the Leavenworth Ranger Station, and retired after fulfilling his 30 years of service. He enjoyed golfing and was quite good. This led him to managing the Leavenworth Golf Club for several years. He eventually took a part time position with Rayfield Brother’s Excavating, who became a second family for him.
He was preceded in passing by his parents, two sisters Marie Johanna Bakke Bremner and Ethel May Bakke Gehring.  Knute is survived by his brother, Kjell M. Bakke of Leavenworth, nieces and nephew; Karen Hall, Jean Booher and Dean Bremner all of Republic, Washington, Kristen Gehring Taylor of Peshastin, Kerri Gehring of Chelan, Kathryn Gehring Praye of Leavenworth, Karlyn Gehring Mitchell of Wenatchee, Sonja Balcke Lahana of Denver, Sandra Bakke Rome and Brenda Bakke of Los Angeles. Also, cousins Gracie Bakke Pulse, Mary Bakke Oxos, and Hennod Bakke, Jr. He and his colorful personality will be missed by all and especially, his extended family Dave and Sharon Rayfield and his many friends in the valley.
He will be laid to rest with his parents with no formal memorial service. Memorials can be made as a tax deductible donation in his name to the Community Foundation of NCW, the Bakke Scholarship Trust to be initiated in his and his parents’ names. Scholarships are to be awarded annually for graduates at Cascade H.S. for accredited trade schools, vocational or apprenticeship certification programs only. We are so proud of him for this thoughtful legacy to his community.