Elaine L. Bakke

Elaine Lenore Bakke passed peacefully into heaven on June 16, 2018 at Sunflower Assisted Living in Fountain Hills.

Elaine was born in rural Cashton, Wis. on Jan. 7, 1927, the youngest daughter of Henry and Mamie Errickson. She graduated from Cashton High School and was the class Prom Queen her junior year. She went on to attend Western Wisconsin Technical College Secretarial School.

Elaine married Dr. Wayne Bakke on Jan. 22, 1951. They resided in La Crosse, Wis. and had one daughter, Jayne Susan. Wayne passed in August of 1974. Elaine then met Kurt Pare, her longtime partner in life, and they enjoyed 40 years together. Their first years were spent in La Crosse and the last several years were spent in Fountain Hills.

Elaine’s early interest in healthy living and eating remained her lifelong passion. She was co-founder in La Crosse’s first health food store. Elaine was also a manager for Nutrition World’s first health food store in La Crosse and then was promoted to a district manager position overseeing their stores in a three state area. Several years before retiring, Elaine was an administrative manager at Nationwide Menus, a La Crosse direct marketing company.

Elaine has one granddaughter, Alexis Elizabeth Volden. Elaine loved life and love to spend time with family and friends. As a very close family, we have so many cherished and loving memories that we will always treasure.

Elaine is survived by her daughter, Susan Volden of Rochester, Minn.; her granddaughter, Lexie Volden also of Rochester, Minn.; her loving partner, Kurt Pare of Fountain Hills as well as many nieces and nephews - her sister Carrie’s children.

She was preceded on her last journey by her parents; her sisters, Cora and Carrie; her brother, LeRoy; her husband, and her favorite “grand-dog,” Isabel.

We will miss her and love her until we meet again.

A celebration of life is being planned for mid-summer in La Crosse, Wis. and Fountain Hills.