Beulah Arleen Bakken

Beulah Arleen Bakken, 91, of La Crosse and formerly of Onalaska, was called home to heaven by her Savior on Thursday, March 6, 2014, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

Beulah was born on October 30, 1922, at her Sylvester Road home near Holmen, Wis., to William and Ruth (Hanson) Sylvester. She was baptized and confirmed at Holmen Lutheran Church, graduating from Holmen High School. She graduated from La Crosse Beauty School in 1942 to become a licensed cosmetologist. First employed at Soells Beauty Shop in La Crosse, she obtained her managers license in 1956 to own and operate the first Onalaska area salon, Beulahs Beauty Nook. She continued her at home practice, moving to Main Street in 1965. Beulah retired in 1992 at age seventy to still do the favored fourteen family heads.

On September 16, 1942, she married Edward A. Bakken of Genoa. Working long hours, devoted attention to their two children, church fellowship with faithful attendance, and serving Ladies Aid were her priorities at St. Peters , Chaseburg, Mt. Calvary, La Crosse, and the past twenty years at St. Pauls Ev. Lutheran Church, Onalaska. She enjoyed music, dancing, league bowling, card club, baking, time spent with her dear sisters, nieces and nephews, and the special joys of her life, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Beulah is survived by her husband of over seventy one years, Ed, and their two children, both of Onalaska, Diane (Larry) Lindesmith and Doug (Deb) Bakken, along with treasured grandchildren, Abby (Jason) Rombalski, Nate (Fran) Lindesmith, Dave (Julie) Lindesmith, Ryan (April) Bakken, and Shelley (Josh) Gates; eleven great grandchildren, who affectionately called her Great Gram Boo and a special cousin, Jeanne (Ger) Davison. She was preceded in death by two unborn children; her sisters, Margaret (George) Tranberg (Chuck) Lawton, Marian (Lyle) Jostad, Joyce (Stan) Peterson, and their husbands.

To all of us, this ever faithful quiet Christian woman was known as Beautiful Beulah. Her creative hands, with meticulous attention to detail, and her ability to listen at any hour are much missed. She tolerated with grace her many infirmities. We praise God for her life with us! The family would like to thank Marcia Kendall, DNP, Palliative Care Gundersen Health System, Sterling House staff, and especially the pastors of St. Pauls for faithfully bringing her the Word of God.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, March 14th, at St. Pauls Ev. Lutheran Church, 1201 Main St., Onalaska, with visitation from 12:30 P.M. until the time of service. Rev. Norris Baumann and Rev. William Bader will officiate. Burial will take place at Green Mound Cemetery, Holmen. Memorials are preferred and may be directed to St. Pauls Ev. Lutheran Church, Luther High School Chapel Fund, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation, or Time of Grace.