George A. Bakalyar

George Albert Bakalyar was born on March 27, 1921, at home in Lakefield, Minnesota to the late Andrew and Susan (Matasovsky) Bakalyar. He received his education in the Lakefield Public Schools; graduating in the Class of 1939. He then attended Worthington Junior College for two years. In 1944, George enlisted in the United States Army and served during World War II until being honorably discharged in 1946 at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. George then returned to Windom and continued to serve his country as a member of the Army reserves until 1949. On March 29, 1945, George was united in marriage to Doris Purrington in Windom, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with three children, Nancy, Douglas and Sandy. For thirty-six years, George worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company as a linesman/technician until retiring in 1983. After retiring, George and Doris continued to live in Windom where they recently moved to Mikkelsen Manor. On November 7, 2010, George was admitted to the Windom Area Hospital and passed away there on Tuesday, November 9, 2010, at the age of 89. Through the years, George was very involved in many activities at American Lutheran and Living Word Lutheran ...[more]

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rches in Windom. He also was very involved in his community as a charter member of the Windom Chordhustlers, on the planning committee for the Windom Community Center, a member of the American Legion Post #206 in Windom and was a recipient of the Windom Mayor's Medal of Honor. George was happiest when spending time with his kids, grandkids and great grandkids. George and Doris enjoyed following local sports and received the Fans of the Year award one year. They loved camping with their kids and grandkids and later joined the Holiday Ramblers RV group and made many wonderful friends. George is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Doris Bakalyar of Windom; three children, Nancy (Kurt) Evans of North Mankato; Douglas (Jeanne) Bakalyar of Mankato; Sandy (Jim) Robinson of Windom; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, Kari Evans and her daughter, Samantha; Katie (Andy) Dessner and their children, Tyler and Brielle; Sara (Corey) Barfknecht and their children, Cody and Layna; Kent (Sara) Evans and their children, Macie and Brayden; and Amy Robinson; one sister and two brothers, Lillian Bakalyar of Worthington; Joe Bakalyar of Cherokee, IA; Carl (Arlene) Bakalyar of Preston, MN; and many nieces and nephews. George is preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Tom, Andy, Ted, Larry, Art and Leroy Bakalyar; four sisters, Lil-Lil Bakalyar, Margaret Wiezorek, Susan Matasovsky and Ethel Scholten. Blessed be the memory of George Bakalyar.