Craig Bakkelund

Craig Bakkelund, Granite Falls, died on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls at the age of 46.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Granite Falls Lutheran Church.  Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery rural Watson.

Walk by visitation with the family will be held on Monday, November 22, 2021 from 5 to 7 PM at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Granite Falls, MN and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.   Masks are strongly encouraged as well as social distancing for the visitation and funeral service.

Craig Bakkelund was born in Montevideo on September 9, 1975 to Denneth and Linda (Erickson) Bakkelund.  He was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church rural Watson. Craig attended school in Granite Falls and graduated from high school in 1994. He joined the Minnesota National Guard in 1993 and served in active duty for 6 years. Following high school Craig attended Willmar Area Community College and then went on to Southwest State University in Marshall obtaining a degree in Business Administration with a focus on finance. On April 10, 1999 Craig was united in marriage to Heidi Bakken at Granite Falls Lutheran Church. They had 3 boys together.  Craig would work in the finance area all his life and would eventually become the Executive Vice President of FM Bank.

Craig was a servant leader, he was very passionate about serving on multiple boards and committees of the Granite Falls Lutheran Church, the city of Granite Falls and the surrounding area. Craig was truly invested in his community and took pride in helping it grow

Craig loved his family and to share his hobbies with his boys. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and family vacations. He was an elk hunter and would travel to southwest Wyoming with hunting buddies to hunt big game.  Some of his favorite vacation spots with the boys and Heidi were to Duluth and Lake Thompson, SD.  He was always there for family. Craig enjoyed musicals, sports, and attending his boys’ events. Family will remember him for his gift to gab, and his love of grilling, sitting by campfires, and Sunday naps.

Craig is survived by his wife, Heidi; his boys: Taylor Bakkelund, Jordan Bakkelund; parents: Denneth and Linda Bakkelund; brother, Aaron (Alison) Bakkelund; nieces: Janessa, Shandi, Avry, and Laela; nephews: Jakob, Carter, and Brennan; mother and father-in-law: Mark and Vicki Bakken; brother-in-law, Ryan (Jess) Bakken; as well as numerous extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Hunter.