Funeral services for Herschel W. Bakken, age 79, of Albert Lea, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 6, at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Lyndy West will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation is 4-7 p.m. today at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Herschel died Tuesday, July 2, 2002, at his home.

Herschel William Bakken was born May 4, 1923, to Oswald and Kristine (Kristinsen) Bakken in Albert Lea Township. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church where he had been a member all his life. Herschel was a graduate of Albert Lea High School. On July 2, 1944, he was united in marriage to Lorraine Olson at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Herschel had been a lifelong resident of Freeborn County. He was a farmer for much of his life and also worked at Western Grocery and Spurgeon’s mercantile. Herschel was on the Albert Lea Township Board for over 20 years. He was a 4-H Leader, and had been on the Board of Directors at First Bank. Herschel loved to play cards, drive John Deere tractors, split firewood, and be a “gofer” for anyone who needed an errand run. He enjoyed having coffee with his friends and was also a member of the Elks.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Lorraine, of Albert Lea; children: Alan Bakken and wife Bonnie of Albert Lea and their children, Andrew A. Bakken and wife Jody of Albert Lea, and Amber L. Jensen and husband Jamie of Farmington; James L. Bakken of Twin Lakes and his son, Michael, of St. Cloud.; and Danny W. Bakken and wife Kathy of Glenville and their children, Chad and Corey; great-granddaughter, Madison Meyers; sister, Lillian Perkins of Albert Lea; brothers: Grant Bakken and Manly Bakken and wife Ethel, all of Alden; and many nieces and nephews.

Herschel was preceded in death by his parents, Oswald and Kristine Bakken; sister, Helen and her husband Clifford Ayers; brother-in-law, Milford Perkins; and sister-in-law, Eva Bakken.

Memorials are preferred to Crossroads Community Hospice and First Lutheran Church.