Fisherman, veteran Arnold Bakke dies at 91

Arnold Elmer "Cappy" Bakke, 91, passed away surrounded by family at his side on Aug. 30 in Wrangell.

Graveside services will be held at noon Friday, Sept. 9, with a reception to follow at the Elks Hall. Donations of food for the reception will be appreciated by the family. Contact Tammy at 907-305-0270.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wrangell Fire Department or the Wrangell Mariners' Memorial.

Arnold was born to Orlando Bakke and Marguret Gunyah on Oct. 25, 1930. He had four sisters: Lois, Marguret, Seena and Yvonne.

He graduated from Wrangell High School and one of his fondest memories was playing basketball, his family said.

On Sept. 10, 1954, he married Alice Dietz and adopted her son David. Arnold Kilburn was added to their family, and not long after David passed at the age of 3 from cancer. In 1957, Helen was born. Alice and Arnold "cherished" 68 years of marriage, the family wrote.

"Cappy always loved the fishing life, working on numerous seiners and purchasing his own gillnetter in 1950, naming his boats after his loving sister Seena," his family wrote.

In 1951, Arnold joined the Army, served in a tank division and often talked about his time in Germany with his fellow soldiers. He was a proud member of the American Legion for 60 years, and marching in the Fourth of July parade was a priority.

He is survived by his wife, Alice; son Arnold (Ava) Bakke; daughter Helen (Steve) Keller; grandchildren Brandy (Jeremy) Grina, Solvay (J.C.) Gillen and great-grandchildren Jacob, Grina, Annika and Leeya Gillen.