Bakel Family Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship was established in memory of Dan Bakel by his friends and family.

Dan was born in Battle Creek, Mich., on Nov. 22, 1956, to Gordon Francis Bakel and M. Linda (Swanson-Bakel) Hyde. Most of his early years were spent in Lacon, Ill., where he graduated from Mid-County High School in 1974. Dan attended classes at Illinois Central College before leaving for Morrison Institute of Technology in Morrison, Ill., where he received an associate degree in mechanical design and drafting.

Dan met his lifelong friend and companion, Beth Breen, while working at a local restaurant in Lacon during his high school years. After college, Dan and Beth moved to La Crosse, where they were married on May 25, 1979. Dan found employment at Trane Co. in La Crosse and worked there for 29 years. During his employment with Trane, Dan attended Viterbo University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in computer information systems management. Dan spent most of his career in various positions of information technology and had the opportunity to travel all over the world. Although never a student at Western Technical College, Dan was an occasional guest instructor of information technology, and his wife graduated from Western with an Associate degree in Nursing.

Dan will be remembered for his loyal devotion to his family; his work ethic and positive attitude; his mentoring spirit and investment in others, as well as the friendships he cherished. He touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. With this scholarship, Dan’s contributions and those of his family and friends can be used to help Dan’s mentorship live on in his memory.