Palmer Bakken
Feb. 11, 1936 – Aug. 9, 2022
Palmer E. Bakken, 86,
Minot, formerly of Lignite,
ND died Tuesday, August
9, 2022 in a Minot nursing
home.
Palmer Ernest Bakken
was born on February 11,
1936, a son of Oscar and
Louise (Hoff) Bakken in
Noonan, ND. He was bap-
tized and confirmed at
Tonset Lutheran Church
and raised on the family
farm south of Lignite, ND.
In his younger years, he
attended country school
by the foothills near the
farm. He later attended
high school in Columbus,
ND where he stayed with
the Tveter family and gra-
duated from Columbus
High School in 1954. Im-
mediately following gra-
duation, he went to work
for a local paving com-
pany and was also a ranch
hand.
On November 22, 1955,
Palmer enlisted into the
United States Navy. He
proudly served his coun-
try aboard the USS Forre-
stal as a Radioman. Pal-
mer was able to see many
parts of the world during
his time of service and
was particularly fond of
Spain. His musical abili-
ties were noticed while he
played aboard the ship
alongside entertainers,
Buck Owens and Roy
Clark. He was honorably
discharged from his Naval
duties on October 2, 1959.
On October 14, 1960,
Palmer was united in mar-
riage to Betsy Matson at
Tonset Lutheran Church,
rural Lignite, ND. In 1961,
Palmer attended IBM
computer training in Des
Moines, IA. Upon comple-
tion of this school, they
moved to Bismarck where
he was employed by
Super Valu. In 1963, after
the sudden passing of his
Father, Palmer and Betsy
returned to the family
farm. It was here where
they raised their four chil-
dren, Derenda, Guy and
Grady. During these years
on the farm, Palmer and
his brother Landis raised
beef cattle, dairy cattle,
and small grains. In 1973,
Landis left the farm to
pursue a different career
path and in this same year
the dairy operation came
to a close. Palmer contin-
ued to farm and ranch,
until the 1990’s when he
went to work for T&M
farms (Ted and Mary
Hawbaker and Family) of
rural Portal, ND. In 1999,
Palmer and Besty decided
to move closer to their
grandkids and relocated
to Fargo, ND where he
was employed by General
Equipment for 10 years.
He loved being a part of
the General Equipment
family where he was able
to have several different
roles before his retirement
in 2009.
Palmer was an accom-
plished, self-taught accor-
dion player and could
play anything by ear. He
enjoyed playing in the
Dakota Drifters and when
that band dissolved, he
continued to play at local
dances and accordion
contests throughout North
Dakota. Palmer was a
hardworking, quiet, hum-
ble man, who would help
anyone that needed assis-
tance. He will be greatly
missed by his family and
friends.
Palmer is survived by:
Wife of 62 years, Betsy;
children: Derenda Ermi
(Dale) of Brenham, TX;
Darnelda Leary of Moor-
head, MN; Grady (Traci)
Bakken of Lignite, ND.
Grandchildren: Tess
Sobocinski, Brandon,SD;
Devin (Casey) Smith, Far-
go, ND; Ethan, Kyra, and
Corbin Bakken, Lignite,
ND. Great-grandchildren:
Silas and Meadow Sobo-
cinski.
Siblings: Landis (Betty)
Bakken of Eugene, OR and
Gloria (Steve) Gleave of
Fort Collins, CO.
Several nieces,
nephews and cousins also
survive.
Palmer was preceded in
death by his parents, and
son Guy Bakken in 2012.
Visitation: There will be
no reviewal, however,
friends may sign a guest
register on Tuesday, Au-
gust 16, 2022 from 4 until
6 pm at the Christ Luth-
eran Church, Lignite, ND
Memorial Service:
Wednesday, August 17,
2022 at 11 am at Christ
Lutheran Church in Lig-
nite.
Burial: Tonset
Cemetery, rural Lignite,
ND