Larry Orville Bakken, 74, entered the arms of The Lord on Monday, May 31, 2021. Larry was born May 5, 1947, in Port Arthur, TX to Orville Marvin and Elsie Marie (Schnell) Bakken, both who preceded him in death. His family moved to Kansas City, MO at a young age where he spent his youth. Larry served in the US Air Force for four years during the Viet Nam War. He married Geneva Kay Wagner Sept 7, 1968, in Boscobel, WI. Larry and Kay made their home in the suburbs of Kansas City, MO where they raised their family before moving to Texas.
He attended St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing graduating in 1973, and the North Kansas City Memorial Hospital School of Anesthesia graduating in 1975. He then worked at Menorah Medical Center, a teaching hospital, for 20 years at which time the hospital became a research center.
Larry came to Gonzales, Texas in 1995 to finish his professional career. He worked at Gonzales Memorial Hospital for 22 years. He was dedicated to the Surgery Department and enjoyed the people he worked with.
Some of Larry’s hobbies were restoring vintage cars, riding motorcycles and golfing. He was also an award-winning grill master and loved cooking barbecue on the weekends. He loved to go camping and fishing at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. After moving to Texas, he enjoyed fishing at Lakewood, and boating up and down the river. He loved to work on the ranch and was always busy repairing equipment or mowing. He attended most all of his grandchildren’s events and loved to brag to his friends about them.
Larry is survived by his wife of 53 years: Geneva Kay Wagner; daughter: Christina Lori McCaig and husband, Eric, of Seguin; son: Christopher Scott Bakken and wife, Nicole, of Gonzales; brother: Steven Ray Bakken and wife, Linda, of Raytown MO; sister: Lori Lynn Sunderland and husband, Tab, of Lee’s Summit, MO; grandchildren: Bradley and Jacob Bakken, Mason, and Madison McCaig. He has four nephews and one niece. He will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren and friends.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 17, 2021 in Gonzales Memorial Park with Rev. Forrest Hamilton officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will be his grandsons Mason McCaig, Bradley and Jacob Bakken, his nephews Dan Sunderland, Kirk Campainha, Kory and Shane Bakken and friend Kenny Torres.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Gonzales Emergency Service District #1, 305 Qualls Street, Gonzales, Texas 78629. Friends may leave their condolences by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com.
Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Hill Funeral Home.