Jessie Bakka

Jessie “Pat” Bakka, 99, of St. Joseph, passed away, Sunday, August 24, 2014 at Crown Point Senior Living Community in Stevensville. Arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, St. Joseph.  Memorial donations may be made to Great Lakes Hospice-Kalamazoo.  Those wishing to sign Pat’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Pat was born January 7, 1915 in Colo, Iowa to George & Clara (Vasey) Backous.  On April 26, 1934, she married Luke Bakka in Des Moines, Iowa.  The family moved to St. Joseph in the mid 50’s and Pat was employed for 20 plus years at Heath Company as an inspector.  Pat was active at the St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center where she served on the board of directors.  She was a member of the Stevensville American Legion Auxillary, Retired for Fun, Whirlpool Retirees, and the Benton Harbor Moose Lodge.  Pat enjoyed going to the casino whenever possible and going to rummage sales.  She will be missed by her family and friends. Pat is survived by her daughter Lynda (Rudy) Hedstrom of St. Joseph; her son Richard Bakka of Burr Ridge, IL; five grandchildren-Brad, Erik, Nikol, Phil & Nick; seven great-grandchildren; her sister Mary Sampson of Nevada, Iowa; and several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Luke on September 15, 1992 and her brother Irvin “Bud” Backous.