Carl R. Bakalyar, 97, of Preston, Minn., passed away peacefully on November 13, 2022, surrounded by his family, and loved ones.
Carl worked in the utilities and communication industries in positions of increasing responsibility. Lastly managing telephone offices in the SE portion of Minnesota. After his retirement he served on various committees, and advisory boards including Preston utilities and the planning of the first Trout Days celebration. He was active in his church, the Lions Club, Telephone Pioneers, and pretty much anywhere he was asked to serve.
He enjoyed first being with his family and then many activities involving the outdoors such as fishing, hunting, and golf. He was a man of many talents which were exhibited in his work and his hobbies of taxidermy, wood working and writings, and the ability to fix anything. A masterful problem solver whose solutions were always elegant in their simplicity and effectiveness.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters and nine brothers, and granddaughter Jessa Kay Slostad.
He is survived by Arlene, his dear wife and companion of 75 years; sons Michael (Carleen) and Charles (Danielle), daughters Deborah (Lon) and Carla (Paul), nine grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.