Kenneth Bakkestuen died at his home in rural Amery on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the age of 58. Memorial services will be held on Wednesday evening June 6 at 7 pm at the funeral home. There will be a visitation time from 5 to 7 p.m. before the service. There will also be a service held on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at Vang Church in rural Westby, Wisconsin at 3:00 p.m. There will be a visitation time at the church from 1 to 3 p.m. before the service. Interment will be at the church cemetery.

Kenneth “Conoco Ken” Lamont Bakkestuen was born in Viroqua, Wisconsin on September 20, 1953 one of nine children. He was the son of Arnold and Doris Bakkestuen. He was raised in Westby, Wisconsin where he graduated from high school. After high school he served in the United States Army being discharged from the Army Reserves in July of 1986. He has held several jobs during his life, but became known as “Conoco Ken” when he was manager of the Conoco Station in Amery, Wisconsin. Ken was an avid motorcyclist all his life. Time with family was important and he was always kind hearted and generous with others. Ken died at his home in rural Amery on Saturday, June 2, 2012 after a battle with cancer. He was 58 years of age. His father, brother Jon, infant sister, sister-in-law Margaret Bakkestuen and step-father Howard Volden preceded him in death. Left to mourn are his children: Kyle Bakkestuen, Jayme Bakkestuen, and Courtney Holte. He also leaves his mother Doris Volden; siblings Arvid, Mike (Laurie), Randy (Cindy), Gloria (Alton Brose), Lola, Elaine (Richard Odemoe) and Sheila (Richard Steele) as well as 8 grandchildren, special cousin Vicki and other relatives and friends.