August Bakka Obituary
Funeral services for August "Gus" E. Bakka, 96, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 22, 2026 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 430 Elizabeth Drive. A viewing will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Military graveside honors will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.
Mr. Bakka passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at SageWest Hospital in Riverton, Wyoming.
Gus was born in Kemmerer, Wyoming on April 11, 1929 to August Alexander Bakka and Mary Samantha (Madson) Bakka. The family relocated to Rock Springs, Wyoming where Gus attended school and graduated with the Rock Springs High School class of 1947. He married Ethel Mae Firmage, the love of his life, on January 4, 1948 and together they had four daughters, Sandra Kay Appelhans, Cindy Lou Frady, Sherri Lynn Vogele, and Kathy Sue Pease. Their marriage was solemnized on September 29, 1967 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Gus and Ethel Mae began their life together in Colorado Springs, Colorado where Gus served as a paratrooper in the United States Army. When World War II was over, they returned to Rock Springs, Wyoming where Gus worked for FMC Corporation and at the same time drove a bus to the FMC plant for Zanetti Bus Lines.
In the Spring of 1958, the family moved to Riverton, Wyoming where Gus drove a bus to the Gas Hills mines. In 1964, Gus and Ethel Mae, bought their floor-covering business, where Ethel Mae ran the business and Gus did the work. They continued to raise their family and spent the rest of their lives in Riverton. They had a deep love for the people of Riverton, including many longtime neighbors and friends. Gus served on the Riverton City Council for a number of years. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Riverton Senior center. Later Gus worked for Bailey Tire and Auto Service until he was over 80 years old.
Gus and Ethel Mae were active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Gus held numerous church callings, including serving in bishoprics and on the Stake High Council. In later years, Gus served at the Wyoming Honor Farm, a calling he dearly loved.
Gus enjoyed spending time in the outdoors. He and Ethel Mae could be found riding motorcycles, fishing from their boat, snowmobiling, and riding 4-wheelers. He especially loved backpacking in the Wind River Mountains, although there may be some questions regarding his stories of the size of the fish he caught.
Gus is survived by his daughter, Kathy Pease of Oklahoma; grandchildren, Wade Appelhans, Joe Appelhans, Norman Frady, Denny Frady, Melissa Frady, Wayne Vogele, and Shannon Rae Hughes-Dunkeson; numerous great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Howard Van Valkenburg of Rock Springs, and several nieces.
Gus is proceeded in death by his wife, Ethel Mae Bakka; father August Alexander Bakka; mother, Mary Madson Bakka; brother, Walter Elias Bakka; daughters, Sandra Kay Appelhans, Cindy Lou Frady, Sherri Lynn Vogele; grandson, Dale Vogele.
On-line condolences for Gus' family may be made at TheDavisFuneralHome.com. Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments of Riverton, Wyoming.
--Published by Legacy on Jan. 20, 2026
Learn more about August on the Firmage Family History website:
