Age 84 of St Paul

Born: November 15, 1935

Died: December 9, 2019

Wife, Mom, Grano

Lois Darlene Reardon (nee Bakke) was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota to John and Amelia Bakke on November 15, 1935. She had two brothers, Jerome and Orrin, and an Irish twin sister, Florence. Described as quite a mischievous child she had stories of getting lost in a corn field, playing with dangerous kitchen utensils, and going for walks with her little sister in the wagon without permission.

She attended the Minnesota School for the Deaf.  She was a good student and shined at studies. There she developed beautiful handwriting, learned how to sew, and how to skillfully use a typewriter among other things. Lois loved school and told us it was her real home, while going back to her parent's house was merely a vacation. School memories she shared included walking to the store after school to get her daily Nut Goodie and of a handsome young man who would cross the campus from the school next door. Marlon Brando! She was full of team spirit and a member of the Hilltopper cheerleading and drum squad.  The friends she made at school remained lifelong friends, and there were many!

While at school one student in particular caught her eye and he became her one true love. Lois and Michael were married on August 15, 1954. They were together for 60+ years. Michael passed away in 2014. They had four children, all born in Albert Lea. Mom and Dad moved the family to St. Paul in 1970, into the house on Colborne Street.  After a diagnosis of Lupus, her life changed.  Many surgeries and illnesses followed. But through it all Mom would say "Keep Fighting! Never give up!"

Mom's creativity led her to knitting, crocheting, sewing, and many other crafts. Her home is filled with her creations and many more were given as gifts. Crochet became her favorite and she spent many evenings in her chair making slippers, tablecloths and more.  Blankets became her passion and the 'Star' pattern her absolute favorite.  Colors ranged from blue to purple, pink, red and more. Pink blankets were donated for Breast Cancer Awareness.

As her life became filled with grandchildren (nine in all) "Mom" evolved into "Grano". Along with Paw they were active in the Deaf Community and Bread of Life Lutheran Church for the Deaf. In their later years they enjoyed traveling, family activities, and MSD Homecoming games. Grano enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and computer games. She was an avid and loyal fan of the Minnesota Twins.

In her final hours,surrounded by her daughters, the angel Lois/Mom/Grano took wing. Untethered to her earthly body, she is soaring.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Amelia Bakke, husband Michael Joseph, son Robert Clayton and brother Orrin Bakke.

Dearly missed by daughters Paula (Tom) Ovre, Alice (Don) Fasig, Rita (John) Heine;

grandchildren: Maren, Tara, Steve, Nona, Mary, Erica, Danielle, Erin and John;

14 great-grandchildren and here are there initials. Can you name them?

ALD, CJD, JTV, LRV, JNB, OMV, ARD, JSD, JTD, LSB, MRS, ERS, CMS, AMHZ

Memorials to Bread of Life Deaf Lutheran Church