Ellwin Orris Rakke

Ellwin Rakke, 91, of Bemidji, MN died Monday, June 24, 2019 at Neilson Place, Bemidji.

There will be an informal time of sharing at Neilson Place Chapel on Monday, July 8th from 2:30 PM-4:00 PM.  The memorial service will be held at First Lutheran Church on Tuesday, July 9th at 10:30 AM, and family will greet friends for 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Bemidji, MN. Arrangements were entrusted to the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bemidji.

Ellwin was born in 1928 to Arnold and Josie Rakke. He was raised and educated in Granite Falls, MN. He received a B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College and M.Ed. from University of North Dakota. He also attended Case Institute of Tech, Michigan State University, as well as Central Washington State. Ellwin taught in Echo, MN for 3 years. In 1955, he moved to Bemidji where he met and married Nancy Johnson in 1956. Ellwin taught math for 2 years, driver education from 1957-1980, and alternative education from 1980-1984. He retired in 1984 and then worked part time in alternative and adult education until 2005. He was active in the Minnesota Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association, serving as State President of Minnesota State Driver Education for 2 years. Ellwin was active as a bridge player in the Bemidji Duplicate Bridge Club. He was a local director and achieved the rank of Silver Life Master. He loved playing golf and had three holes in one. In July, he could be found in the woods picking blueberries.

Ellwin is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Beth Rakke (Denise Thornhill) of Salt Lake City, UT, daughter Kristin Rakke (Bill Prince) of Albertville, MN, daughter-in-law Pam Rakke, Sauk Rapids, MN, three grandsons Zac, Peter, and Isaac Rakke, sister Lois Henke of Granite Falls, MN, brother-in-law Lee Johnson (Shyla) of Bemidji, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by infant son David, son Mark, brother Jewell Rakke (Mary Ann), sister Jane Aalderks (Henry) and brother-in-law Harlan Henke.

Memorials may be given to First Lutheran Church-Bemidji.

Online guestbook at www.OlsonSchwartzFuneralHome.com

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