Visitation: Tuesday (3/22) 2 - 4 PM  &  7 - 9 PM
Funeral Mass: Wednesday (3/23) 11 AM @ Bethlehem Lutheran Church


-     -     -     COMPLIMENTARY VALET PARKING AVAILABLE     -     -     -


Alfred Johan Bakke: A Life Well Lived

Alfred Bakke was someone who loved simple pleasures: a cup of hearty Norwegian pea soup, his family, and savoring every day.  A true example of what it means to live a life with gratitude.

Alfred was born in Norway on July 17, 1934 to Andres and Selma Bakke.  He had 10 siblings, 9 brothers and 1 sister.  He married the love of his life, Helene Egeland who he met in the big city of Kristiansand.  She hailed from a town near to his boyhood home.

They got engaged and made the monumental decision to emigrate to the U.S. as so many from Norway had done before them.  Not because they did not love their country, but because there was not enough work to sustain their hoped for family.  They married shortly after they arrived,  (They just celebrated their 63rd Wedding Anniversary) and eventually settled in Bay Ridge in its heyday of being the Norwegian Brooklyn colony.

Alfred had carpentry skills before he arrived in the U.S, but he worked hard, adjusted his craft, and continued his training to fit where the work was, becoming an awesome master floor finisher who caught the eye of top architects.  He passed this profession along to his children, Steven and Roy.  The talented trio created a business, Nordic Floors.  Well respected, they built floors for the "Stars" including Cher, David Letterman, MOMA, Carnegie Hall and the 9-11 Memorial to name a few.  Bill Gates' huge home near Seattle was to have only 1 wooden floor, so Nordic Floors was flown out to do the job.  Nordic Floors is now being run by Steven in partnership with one of the 3rd generation of Bakkes, Vinny.

Alfred also helped out at the family owned business Nordic Deli for 29 years.  Here he reigned as waffle maker extraordinaire, offering a winning smile and brief but kind words to all who entered.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 63 years, Helene Egeland Bakke, his children John, Arlene, and Steven, and his daughter-in-laws Nancy and Holly.  Alfred was a beloved grandfather, giving a lot and serving as a wonderful role model for his grandchildren.  He was someone they looked up to and someone who taught them the importance of laughter.

The grandchildren he leaves behind are: Olivia, Brian, Angela, Anthony, Ashley, Dillon, Danielle, Paul, Vinny, Emily, Roy Jr., and Abby.  He was also blessed to have a great grandchildren: Alexa, Madison, Lucas, Juliana, and he also leaves behind and a soon to be addition Baby Rutuelo due in September.

He now rests pain free and joyful, reunited with his son Roy and his parents in God's Loving Hands.

Skal to this gentle, humble, gentleman.

Revelation 21:4   And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.