Todd Charles Bakeberg

Our loved Todd Charles Bakeberg, 55, of Spearfish, SD, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 15, 2020, in a motor vehicle accident. 

Todd was born in Gettysburg, SD, to Leo and Patience (Pat) Bakeberg on February 26, 1965. He attended his early schooling in Dupree, SD. After the sixth grade, his family moved to Spearfish, SD, where he completed school. He obtained twice the friends as he was technically a part of the Spearfish High School class of 1983 and 1984 having taken a year off before obtaining his diploma. He began working at the Spearfish Safeway in 1983 as a carryout – 37 years later, he was still working at Safeway as the meat department manager since 2004.

He married the love of his life, Billie Jo (Keckler) Bakeberg, on June 11, 1988, in Eagle Butte, SD. Todd and Billie Jo became parents in 1993 to Janesa JoRae and again in 1998 to Jacksyn Todd. 

Todd was an active member of the Spearfish community, competing in recreational pool and softball leagues and cheering on his children’s extracurricular activities. He worked tirelessly to improve others’ lives, whether mowing the neighbor’s lawn, helping extended family during calving season, or standing up for his coworkers. His legacy is particularly profound on the entire Spearfish Safeway family, whose union-negotiated benefits are largely due to his organizing efforts and advocacy. 

Todd is survived by his beautiful wife, Billie Jo Bakeberg; his children, Janesa & Kyle Ryan, and Jacksyn Bakeberg & fiancée Elizabeth Amiotte; his siblings (and their spouses), Ruth (David), August (Nancy), Leo, Jr. (Mona), Donald, Mary Jo, Alan (Deb), John (Janet), and Shelly (Nort); his father, Leo Bakeberg, Sr.; his mother-in-law, Patti Jo Keckler; and his brother-in-law, J.R. Keckler and his family.

Todd was preceded in death by his mother, Pat Bakeberg; his sister, Deb Grueb; his grandparents; and his father-in-law, Jack Keckler.

Simply put - Todd was the favorite. He was everyone’s favorite. 

Funeral services were held  Saturday, March 21, 2020, at Countryside Church in Spearfish with Stephan Carson of Connection Church officiating. Burial  followed at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish.