Montana Class C Basketball lost one of its greatest coaches of all times on February 12 with the sudden passing of Terry Gene Bakken at age 71. He passionately coached boys and girls basketball teams for 39 years throughout Montana, winning the state class C boys championship with the tough Flaxville Cardinals in 1979.
Terry was born to Selmer and Gurina (Tofslie) Bakken in Conrad, Montana. He attended Conrad high school, where he excelled academically and athletically. He played basketball, football, baseball, golf, and participated in track. Terry graduated MSU with a BS degree in PE and a master’s degree in physical education and administration.
Terry then pursued his career in teaching and coaching basketball in class C high school from Rapelje to Shields Valley. During his career he mentored and inspired hundreds of young students and athletes to be the best that they could be. He was fiercely loyal and believed in hard work and perseverance. Terry loved competition and was always able to exhibit class whether winning or losing. He was chosen to be a coach in the Treasure State Classic all-star basketball tournament for many years. His heart was huge, he wanted to see people succeed. Terry was an avid collector of many things including: his beloved Lionel trains, stamps, and coins. He had a passion and talent for restoring pickups, including his dads classic 1937 Ford pickup. Terry was very meticulous in his work and the outcome spoke for itself! He always seemed to have a way of making others feel important no matter what they were doing. It could be a family member, a kid he knew from sports, or an old acquaintance, he would take the time to show you he cared. Terry was very proud of his Norwegian heritage, and loved spending as much time as possible with his grandkids teaching them everything from playing Legos to life lessons. He spent some of his last moments here erecting a hoop for his adored grandkids, making sure they could enjoy the sport that connected him to so many. The legacy he left will be cherished and remembered by many. It was a legacy of love, integrity, perseverance, a quick smile and full of genuine compassion.
Terry is preceded in death by his parents, brother Dale Bakken, in-law’s Oscar and Edna Totdahl, sister in-law Luann Mclain, uncle Ed Tofslie, and uncle Vernon Sander. Terry is survived by his wife and best friend of 46 years Maxine Bakken, son Brandon (Allison), daughter Brittany (Dan) Perkins, grandchildren Alexandra and Anders Bakken, sister Jackie (Craig) McCoy, aunt Alice Tofslie, sister in-laws Cheri Bakken , Carolyn (David) Kovatch, Sandra (Kent) Schweitzer, and Donna (Matt) Fowler, brother in-laws David (Tammy) Totdahl, Steve (Marilyn) Mclain, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
“He hears the final buzzer. With clipboard in hand he gazes up to the scoreboard. His face beams with satisfaction as the final game has come to an end. He reaches down and scoops up the game ball, running his hands over the worn leather and black seams, getting one last feel. With that twinkle in his eyes and familiar smirk he turns and walks towards the door. The gym is silent now, nothing but the memory of squeaking shoes, thumping of a ball, and swish of the net. He closes his eyes and takes it all in, reminiscing on all the good times. He can now hear the angels crying out, like fans of victorious games from his past. A loving voice gently speaks, “Well done, well done Terry! It is time to come home….”
A memorial service celebrating Terry’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 18th at Trailhead Christian Fellowship Church, 20 Trailhead Drive in Townsend. A graveside service will follow the service at Deep Creek Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial the Broadwater School Gymnasium. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association or charity of your choice.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday February 18, 2019
Trailhead Christian Fellowship Church
20 Trailhead Drive
Townsend, Montana 59644
Burial
Following the Service
Monday February 18, 2019
Deep Creek Cemetery
Townsend, Montana 59644
Reception
Following the Burial
Monday February 18, 2019
Broadwater School Gymnasium
Townsend, Montana 59644
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday February 18, 2019
Trailhead Christian Fellowship Church
20 Trailhead Drive
Townsend, Montana 59644
Burial
Following the Service
Monday February 18, 2019
Deep Creek Cemetery
Townsend, Montana 59644
Reception
Following the Burial
Monday February 18, 2019
Broadwater School Gymnasium
Townsend, Montana 59644
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Becky and Gary Gollehon says
Maxine and families, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Cherish Terry’s many memories, for they are good and last forever.
Liz Flikkema says
My condolences to the family. I will always have great memories of Terry, the gentleman and always the intense coach. Praying for God’s peace and comfort!
Ken & Eleanor Bossert says
So sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family.
Debbie Tryan Herndon says
I’m sure my mom and dad, Don and Phyllis Tryan, were both at the pearly gates to welcome him in! They thought the world of Terry and his family. My condolences to the family!
Bob Sager says
Terry was a great neighbor and will be missed by all that knew him. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Bob Sager DVM
White Sulphur Springs
Terry Sutherland says
My condolences to Maxine and family. Rest in peace, Terry. I’m reminded of the days of our youth – playing workup, 500, and our own version of Home Run Derby in the town park. Getting together a Saturday morning basketball game in Meilie’s driveway. Cruising the drag in your ’56 powder blue Ford PU. Having a coke at the Tastee Freeze Drive In. Driving grain trucks for the Weist brothers during harvest before we even had drivers licenses. Working on your home made motor scooter. All good memories.
Tyesha Sitsler-Dent says
He was a wonderful teacher. He will be missed by many My thoughts and prayers to his friends and family.
Kathy Hochstrat says
Maxine and family,
Our thoughts are with you, so sorry for your loss. He will be missed by many. He always had a big smile and jolly hello for everyone. He was a great teacher that helped a lot of kids. Big hug to you Maxine.
The Hochstrat Family
Mark Pederson says
My condolences…….. Terry was a dear friend and mentor…….. many fond memories
Dodson says
Maxine and family,
Our deepest sympathies to all of you. We were really enjoying getting to know Terry these past few years. We especially bonded thru golf and the common desire to pass the love of the game down to kids of all ages. Gone too soon, he will be missed.
Bill and Christy Dodsom
George Marble says
Maxine and Family, Jackie,
So sorry for your loss of Terry. He was just a great guy. So many memories. We grew up in Conrad only a block apart and attended school together through high school where we participated in Conrad’s sports programs and all the benefits of growing up in a small town. Hours and hours practicing basketball in school and in the neighborhood. There was no doubt in my mind that Terry was going to become a coach. We worked together on the farm during harvest. Then we both went to MSU. Terry was a perfectionist and excelled at everything he did. Growing up, his baseball card, coin, and stamp collections were examples of perfection. Quarterback of the football team, starting forward in basketball, and of course, Honor Society. He made everyone around him better.
My deepest condolences,
George Marble
Susan Twichel says
Terry was a kind, generous, loving man; he was a friwnd to all. He was always there to lend a hand whenever a call for help was made. Rest in peace dear Terry–you will be greatly missed. Maxine, Brandon, Brittany—our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of the family at this time
Jackie Short says
Terry was a truly good man. He taught his students not only math, but good morals as well. I am proud to have called him a friend. He will be missed by so many. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Jackie Short
Jesse Tripp says
Amazing guy! My favorite school teacher. He sure was genuinely caring!!
Ron Burns says
I’m proud that Terry was my friend. A good guy, that would help you no mater what. He devoted his life to kids of many Montana communities, his goal was to make them better and contributing members of society. He wanted them to feel better about themselves in order they could feel good about others. A wonderful man!
Mike Gunderson says
So sorry to hear this news Maxine. Enjoyed many fun times with Terry up here in Flaxville. Had much respect for his coaching abilities and the way he worked with the kids. Enjoyed visiting with him at various state tourneys over the years and will miss him. May God Bless you and your family.
Linda & Tim Holm says
Maxine, We are so sorry about Terry. He was an exceptional guy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Anything we can do please let us know. God Bless
Kim Baumann says
Thoughts and prayers to his family
Linda Meier Wadman says
So sorry for your loss. I really enjoyed working with Terry at the summer basketball camp held in Conrad many years ago. Take care
Rob Quist says
I first met Terry on the basketball court for the first of many epic battles between Conrad and Cut Bank, and we became friends from that moment on. Terry was always a class act and the comeraderie we had with he and his teammates have lasted a lifetime. He was such a gift to Montana sports and was so instrumental in mentoring many of our youth with life lessons to carry them through life. Each generation stands on the shoulders on giants, and no one stood as tall as Terry. It has my honor to know him.
Kevin M says
Thanks for all you taught me Mr. Bakken. You influenced so many lives. May peace be with you and your family.
Dave & Beckey Tweet says
Maxine & families, we are sending our love and many prayers as you grieve the loss of your precious Terry. He was such a wonderful man and taugh us all, with his love of life and his love coaching kids in basketball. Our last visit with you and him was on the waters of our most favorite place, Gibson Reservoir. Precious memories we will think back on when we think of him. May peace surround you in this very difficult time. ❤️
Larry and Brenda Snelling says
I always enjoyed visiting with Terry . He was an old school basketball guy . I always learned something new when talking b-ball with Terry . He was a Montana Treasure and will truly be missed by everyone.
Dan and Terry Aakre says
Terry was the perfect example of a good and generous man and a tough competitor. His example should be kept in mind as the gold standard for athletes, coaches, and officials. We were so very fortunate to have had him return to his hometown and join with all the others giving their time and talent for teaching the young of our community. Sincere condolences to you, Maxine and to your entire family.
Kathy Moran-Johnston says
So sad to hear of the loss of Terry. He was a great family man, teacher, coach, role model, and mentor to so many. The love, friendship, and respect between Terry and Maxine was so apparent to all around them. Maxine, my heart is heavy for you and the kids and grandkids. Prayers for all.
Lucy Martin says
I’m so sorry to hear about Mr. Bakken’s passing. I have always had the utmost respect for him as a teacher and a person. He was a true gentleman, and as a teacher with such a professional attitude and work ethic, he helped shape my life for the better. Mr. Bakken and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Emily Shinabarger says
My thoughts are with you all! Mr. Bakken was part of the reason I ever wanted to coach! I was so sad when he left WSS, just as I was in high school! I had much respect for the way he taught the game. He influenced the way I coached and taught the game and was always so supportive of me coaching! We also had many conversations about the fire world. He will me greatly missed be me and many others!
Linda (Stidham ) Depee says
Maxine so sorry for your loss my prayers are with you I have not seen you in about 50 years but your family & mine were close friends in Conrad God Bless you & yours 🙏🏻 Linda (Stidham ) Depee
Jon Genier says
My deepest sympathies to your family. May the hope expressed at Job 14:13-15 give you some comfort for your great loss.
John Hebnes says
We are heartbroken. Terry was an amazing person who loved life kids and basketball. We can never thank him enough for what he did for our kids and what he added to our lives. No doubt we will see him again in our eternal lives.
With heartfelt sorrow we send love and sympathy to Maxine Brandon and Brittany and all their families.
Love
John and Fran Hebnes and family.
Dustin Gordon says
It is so difficult to put condolences into words, especially for someone you respect and admire so much.
I am going to miss my friend Terry, and our deepest sympathies go out to both his immediate and extended family.
Terry was a mentor to me as a math teacher and as a coach. He greatly influenced my early career and any time we got together after, he shared wisdom about basketball, teaching, and often life. I have been both fortunate and proud to call Terry Bakken my friend.
Sincerely,
Dustin and Joni Gordon and Family
Sam Hunt says
Although I wasn’t around Terry very much, I got to know him when my son Mark & daughter Stacy attended his basketball camp in Conrad when they were in Jr. High School.
My impression of him was a very classy dedicated man, both Zola and I send out our condolences to the family.
Larry Beaulieu says
The great Conrad High School ball player, who later coached high school sports, has been called home. Heaven will welcome his coaching and positive attitude.
I met Terry in the fall of 1964 on the tennis courts in back of the Conrad High School, which was also used as a basketball court. Terry was a player who never complained about muscle soreness, a foul that was called from someone who was barely touched, a rebound that someone on his team should have attempted, or someone who wasn’t excelling. “Hustle, hustle,” he would say.
During the winter, Terry would help me shovel snow off the outside court so that we could play a few games of one-on-one as long as the north wind from Canada didn’t chill us to the bones. The wind was even colder if it came from Cut Bank or Shelby, the two towns with the teams that the Cowboys loved to play the most. Terry was the first person whom I remember saying, that said, “Larry, you have a great shot, so shoot.” I never wanted to disappoint him. Terry never talked about coaching to me; he didn’t have to do that. When he talked about basketball, I knew it was coming from the heart and soul and passion of a high school coach.
I talked with Terry a few years ago during the summer when he was fighting fires in Montana, and we talked about relationships and family. He said that he could not have married a nicer lady than Maxine, and he felt that he was the luckiest guy in the world to have the family that he had.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “The glory of friendship is not in the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is in the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him.” Coach Terry B. will be missed. He was a true friend and the kind of player whom any athlete would have wanted on his team because he encouraged every member to be a better person and a better athlete.
Terry, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a great teammate and for leaving me/us with the memories.
Larry Beaulieu
From Facebook
Thanks, Larry, for sending this. Bakken’s lived across the street from us when I was growing up. I was surprised he had been ill. I hadn’t heard much of him for several years. Rodger Moon Family Conrad, Montana
Could not agree more with what Rob Quist posted about this great Conrad Cowboy and competitor whether it was on the football field, basketball court or track field… My Heart Hurt deeply when you emailed me this Larry Beaulieu. Please also pass on my sincerest condolences to Terry’s family & loved ones.
Steve Brandvold Cut Bank, Montana
Strange…I was reminiscing my Cowboy Football seasons the other day and recalled that Terry was a great leader for our team at QB. My condolences to all that knew him. Robert Eppe Fullback on Terry’s team in Conrad 1966
Terry and my brother, Tom were great friends growing up in Conrad. He spent a lot of time at our house and on the outside basketball court. We had a great visit with him last summer in White Sulphur Springs while we were at the Red Ants pants Festival. He will surely be missed by all who knew and loved him. Patti Robinson/Holm Cheerleader from Conrad
Thanks Larry, So sad to read your email to think he was 71 same age as me. Tom Hoover teammate of Terry’s in Conrad
Gail and Lorrie Vennes says
Branden, Allison and family,
Our thoughts and prayers Are with you.
Gail and Lorrie Vennes
SueBlumer says
My deepest sympathy to all:
I had the extreme pleasure to work with Terry st WSS High School. What a great man he was and I smile when I think back to my days spent there. He was a terrific teacher and always made people smile. I know he will be missed but I am just happy to have known him.
Sue Blumer
Bailey Snelling says
While playing basketball at Carroll College, I was fortunate enough to have post game discussions with Terry in the stands. Terry’s basketball knowledge and genuine interest in my experience as a player/person always made me feel special. These memories will be everlasting. Condolences to the family.
DeAnn Visser says
Maxine and family- I am so sorry for your loss. Terry was a great role model and coach. My late husband, Jim respected him so much as he coached him in Basketball and track at Rapelje. We thought of you many times through the years. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as you walk through the loss and grief of someone who gave so much.
Larry Beaulieu says
Many thanks Larry for sharing the following, and well done with your well written and lovely sentiments.
I remember Terry quite well. Indeed he and I were two of the few players who wore athletic glasses!
I also remember hurting my back for the very first time when as a skinny sophomore I tried to carry Terry on my shoulder for ten yards. I arrived a practice late and the drill when I arrived was to have a player jump up onto your shoulder and then you were to carry them for about ten yards. Terry (who weighed about 200 pounds at the time) kindly jumped up onto my shoulder and one step later I had the worst pain of my life stab me in the lower back. That was the end of practice for me (a new world record for the shortest practice ever), as I spent the next twenty minutes or so trying to walk back to the locker room. I remember a rope laying on the ground and I did not think I could lift my leg over it.
Bill Curry
Dawn Olson Jacobson says
Maxine & family,
Terry was my teacher and coach with Neil Nelson in Antelope, MT. He always encouraged me to be a good athlete and have so many fond memories of him and you. I babysat for your kids a couple of times also. My condolences to all of you on the loss of such a wonderful coach and man..
Monte Ruud says
Maxine and family,
I just heard about Coach’s passing and wanted to send my condolences. I was fortunate to have him as a teacher and coach for several years in Flaxville. He instilled the values of hard work and doing things the right way in both sports and the classroom. No matter what, he was ALWAYS prepared. The lessons he taught and the example he set made made everyone he touched a better person. He had an impact on a lot of us over the years. I’ve tried to teach much of what Coach taught me to my kids.
I enjoyed running into him at basketball tournaments in Great Falls in the past few years. He always had such interesting perspectives on sports and life. Not only that, but he seemed to remember some of us as better players than we actually were!
You’ll be missed, Coach.
jerome solheim says
Sorry to hear about Terry ‘s passing. Terry’s grandmother Ingebore Johnson Brokke was my grandfather ‘s sister. I know a lot about the Johnson family , all Ingebore ‘s brothers and sisters, parents and grandparents . I have many documents about them. If anyone in the family is interested, call or text me or email: 660 853 0624
Chuck Welch says
Maxine
I can’t express how sad I was to hear of Coach Terry’s passing. I used to come to the WSS cage camps as a kid. This is where I first met Coach Bakken. Through my high school and college basketball careers I never forgot the teachings of Coach Bakken. Thank you for all the love and attention you both paid my parents over the years. It will come back to you eternally.
Kindest of regards
Chuck Welch
jerome solheim says
Again, sorry to hear of Terry’s death.