Dr. Melvin Baken, Jr

Baken, Melvin P. Jr
At age 94, Melvin passed away peacefully on May 3, 2018. Melvin was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 29, 1923 to Melvin P. Sr. and Gertrude E. Baken (nee Myers). He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard (Delpha) Baken and wives Dorothy M. (nee Hauge) and Dona M. (nee Pieschel). Melvin was devoted to his children, their spouses and grandchildren who survived him: Brant (Marliyn) Baken, Stephen (Deborah Brewer) Bakken, Leslie (Michael Schock) Baken, and Karin (Daniel) Brown, Karen Hubbard, Lisa (Brad) Miller and Annie Hubbard; grandchildren Grete L. Brewer- Bakken, Christopher Baken, Andrew Schock, Eric Baken, Erica Baken, Sienna Miller, Wyatt Staggs, Rowan Staggs & Berit Brewer- Bakken.

Melvin valued education and instilled this value in his children and grandchildren. He graduated from Minneapolis South High School, and attended St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota earning his B.S., M.S., D.D.S. Following his graduation from dental school, he served in the Navy as a dentist and taught at the University of Minnesota Dental School. Later in life, he decided to follow in his father's footsteps and obtained his M.D. in Obstetrics & Gynecology practicing in the western Minneapolis suburbs for 33 years. Dad loved being active and living a healthy lifestyle. He wrestled for the U of MN and the Navy and in his later years he competed nationally in tennis at the National Senior Games. He had many interests including sports, fishing, ballroom dancing, playing Bridge, classical and big band music and just spending time with friends and family. Melvin was a wonderful father and grandfather who will be missed and most remembered for his friendliness, loyalty, intellectual curiosity, kindness as well as his Ole and Lena jokes.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on June 10, 2018 at 1 pm in the Chapel at Boutwells Landing 5600 Norwich Parkway, Oak Park Heights, MN. Reception to follow at 2 pm.

Memorials preferred to The National Senior Games Association (www.NSGA.com), an organization dedicated to promoting health and wellness for adults over 50 through education, fitness and sport.