William Bahe

William Ernest Edward Bahe was born January 23, 1934 in Belgrade, MN, the son of Ernest and Marie (Pommerening) Bahe. Bill grew up on a farm near Elrosa, MN. He was baptized and confirm at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Belgrade. Bill attended school in Belgrade where he graduated from high school in 1951.

Following his schooling Bill took jobs erecting silos, working as a farm hand and at a service station in Willmar, MN. In 1955 he joined the United States Air Force. He was trained as a radio repairman in the Air Force. After serving nearly four years Bill was discharged. He returned to Minnesota and attended the Brown Institute and furthered his education in avionics. He worked for Northwest Airlines until 1964.

Bill was united in marriage to Lucille Esala on September 17, 1960. In 1964 the couple moved to Stevensville, MI where he took a job with the Whirlpool Company. In 1969 they returned to Minnesota and purchased a hobby farm near Brandon. Bill also began teaching Avionics at the Alexandria Technical College. He retired from the college in 1994. Bill and Lucille were blessed with two children, Julie and Joni. In 1977 Lucille died from cancer and Bill continued raising his daughters.

On April 30 1988 Bill was united in marriage to Dorothy Tangen at Grace Church in Andover, MN. They made their home in Brandon until 1990 when they moved to a home on Lake Burgen. Bill enjoyed spending time fishing in the summer and winter. He took pleasure in boating with his family. Bill also liked to bowl in the men's league and enjoyed a good game of Cribbage. Bill was a solid Minnesota sports fan; he spent many hours watching the games on television or listening to them on the radio.

Bill also was a member of the American Legion, the Retired Teachers Association, Calvary Lutheran Church and the Brandon Cemetery Board. He was also active in planning class reunions with schoolmates.

Most important to Bill was his family. In his retirement he made it his job and pleasure to attend family events. Whether it was a play, choir concert, sports event, wedding, graduation or family celebration Bill would always try to show up for his children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces or nephews. Family meant everything to him.

On Thursday, January 12, 2017 Bill died at the age of eighty-two years. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucille Bahe; three brothers, Andrew Bahe, Richard Bahe and Ernest Bahe, Jr.; and three sisters, Anna Nelson, Verlaine Genz and Paulette Bahe. Bill is survived by his wife Dorothy; daughters Julie Blanch and husband, Marc, of Prior Lake, MN and Joni Bahe of Shakopee, MN; grandchildren Austin and Alex Blanch of Prior Lake, MN; step-children Ellen Ingvoldstad of Coon Rapids, MN, Debbie Wallace and husband, David, of Anoka, MN, Mark Tangen of Garrison, MN, Pam Erickson and husband, Jeff, of Ramsey, MN, Lori West of Princeton, MN and Teresa Hedlund and husband, Chris, of Ramsey, MN; nineteen step-grandchildren; twenty-eight step-great grandchildren; and one step- great great grandson; one brother, Henry Bahe of Alexandria and many beloved nephews and nieces.

A funeral service will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Reverend Alicia Hilding will officiate. Interment will follow at the Brandon Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church.

Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.