Gary E. Bak, 71,, has passed away, leaving behind a family and community who loved him dearly.
These are some of the moments and memories that shaped his story.
Born in 1948, Gary began a life that would touch many along the way.
Gary held deeply to the Lutheran faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
The community of faith holds its own well — and Gary was held.
Gary E. Bak, 71 formerly of Viborg, died under hospice care at his home in Sioux Falls on Sunday, November 3, 2019 surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be at 10:30am Thursday, November 7, 2019 at the Viborg Community Building with burial with full military honors at Rosehill Cemetery, Viborg. Visitation will be from 5-7pm Wednesday at the Viborg Community Building with a Prayer Service at 7:00pm. Gary Enoch Bak was born on April 10, 1948 to Ray and Elaine (Vugteveen) Bak in Viborg. He graduated from Viborg High School in 1966 and attended SDSU for two years before enlisting in the United States Air Force. In 1970, Gary married his high school sweetheart, Vikkie Jensen, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Viborg. They made their first home in Tampa, Florida, where Gary was stationed until they transferred to Ellsworth Air Force Base in 1972. After an honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1973, he and Vikkie moved back to the Viborg area, and he enlisted in the South Dakota Air National Guard, where he obtained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before honorably discharging on July 31, 2002. During his SDANG career, he completed his BS degree in Business Administration at National College in 1979. He followed up with 11 years as a background investigator with USIS before fully retiring in 2013. Through the years, Gary's favorite pastimes were cheering for the Viborg Vikings and Viborg-Hurley Cougars, fishing with family, hunting, watching his grandkids' activities, playing cards with friends, going to the movies and supporting the Minnesota Twins with Vikkie, and perfecting his golf game. He especially enjoyed his yearly vacations to Branson and Lake of the Woods. He volunteered countless hours to his family, church, community and Air Guard; always with a smile and endless conversation. Gary was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church for nearly 50 years, and he had a beautiful faith as shown through his continual discipleship until the time of his death. His light will shine on through all that had the fortune of knowing him. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Vikkie, his children, Sallie (Daren) Ketcham, Cindy (Brian) Wills, Steve Bak, and Ryan (Jessica) Bak; 5 grandchildren, Braden and Eli Wills, Jack Ketcham, and Raymond and Emma Bak; and a sister Rosalyn (Terry) Faulkner. Memorials maybe directed to Our Saviors Lutheran Church or to the Viborg-Hurley Athletic Boosters.
