Mary Jo Bakken
d. May 5, 2024
Mary Jo Bakken, 62, of Granite Falls, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at the Avera Granite Falls Care Center. Memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 16th at 11:00am at Granite Falls Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.
Mary Jo Roden was born to Louie and Yvonne Roden on September 29, 1961, in Buffalo,
Minnesota. She was baptized at St. Albert’s Catholic Church. She spent her childhood in
Granite Falls where she was confirmed at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, and graduated from
the Granite Falls High School with The Class of 1979.
After graduation, Jo attended Anoka Community College, graduating with an Associates Degree
in Business. Jo was employed at Yellow Medicine County Family Service Center for 23 years.
Jo married her high school sweetheart, Bradley Bakken, on April 17, 1982, in Granite Falls. Jo
was confirmed into the Lutheran faith in 1989. In September 1990, Jo and Brad were blessed
with the adoption of their son, Jared.
Jo was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 1995. Jo fought a courageous battle and
beat the cancer, but with the long-term side effects of chemo and radiation, she developed
dementia. Through all the trials and tribulations, Jo always had a smile and a giggle for her two
favorite people, Brad and Jared.
Jo’s first passion was spending time with her family. Her second passion was spending time
with the family dogs, reading, camping, boating, playing cards, cooking, gardening, canning and
watching the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins. Brad and Jo had a summer home at the
Traveler’s Country Club Lodge where they enjoyed golfing, spending time with Jared, and sitting
around the campfire with the Roden family.
Jo will be sadly missed by her husband Bradley Bakken, and son Jared Bakken, both of Granite
Falls, her mother Yvonne Roden of Granite Falls, siblings Lynn (Steve) Zimmerman of Coon
Rapids, Jeanie (Pete) Knudsen of Cold Spring, Rick (Kathy) Roden of Granite Falls, Peggy
(Mark) Frederickson of Clear Lake, and her in laws Mark (Vicki) Bakken of Granite Falls, Jan
(Matt) Gordon of St. Cloud, Mike (Mary) Bakken of Stillwater, as well as many nieces, nephews
and extended family.
Mary Jo is preceded in death by her grandparents, her father Louie Roden, father-in-law
Sherman Bakken, and mother-in-law Darlene Bakken.
Mary Jo Roden was born to Louie and Yvonne Roden on September 29, 1961, in Buffalo,
Minnesota. She was baptized at St. Albert’s Catholic Church. She spent her childhood in
Granite Falls where she was confirmed at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, and graduated from
the Granite Falls High School with The Class of 1979.
After graduation, Jo attended Anoka Community College, graduating with an Associates Degree
in Business. Jo was employed at Yellow Medicine County Family Service Center for 23 years.
Jo married her high school sweetheart, Bradley Bakken, on April 17, 1982, in Granite Falls. Jo
was confirmed into the Lutheran faith in 1989. In September 1990, Jo and Brad were blessed
with the adoption of their son, Jared.
Jo was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 1995. Jo fought a courageous battle and
beat the cancer, but with the long-term side effects of chemo and radiation, she developed
dementia. Through all the trials and tribulations, Jo always had a smile and a giggle for her two
favorite people, Brad and Jared.
Jo’s first passion was spending time with her family. Her second passion was spending time
with the family dogs, reading, camping, boating, playing cards, cooking, gardening, canning and
watching the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins. Brad and Jo had a summer home at the
Traveler’s Country Club Lodge where they enjoyed golfing, spending time with Jared, and sitting
around the campfire with the Roden family.
Jo will be sadly missed by her husband Bradley Bakken, and son Jared Bakken, both of Granite
Falls, her mother Yvonne Roden of Granite Falls, siblings Lynn (Steve) Zimmerman of Coon
Rapids, Jeanie (Pete) Knudsen of Cold Spring, Rick (Kathy) Roden of Granite Falls, Peggy
(Mark) Frederickson of Clear Lake, and her in laws Mark (Vicki) Bakken of Granite Falls, Jan
(Matt) Gordon of St. Cloud, Mike (Mary) Bakken of Stillwater, as well as many nieces, nephews
and extended family.
Mary Jo is preceded in death by her grandparents, her father Louie Roden, father-in-law
Sherman Bakken, and mother-in-law Darlene Bakken.
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