Lara Bakos, 54, of Battle Creek, Iowa

Family Visitation: Will be held on Monday, March 24, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield, Iowa, with a prayer service at 1:30 p.m. The Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Graveside Service: Will be held at the Greenfield Cemetery on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family, c/o, Scott Bakos, P.O. Box 76, Battle Creek, Iowa 51006.

Lara J. Bakos passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at her home in Battle Creek, Iowa, following a long-term illness.Lara was born April 30, 1970, in State Center, Iowa, the daughter of James A. and Jane L. (Mensing) Michels. She met her soulmate and the love of her life, Scott Bakos, in 1989 and they married on March 1, 1996. The couple lived in Iowa and Florida, including many of those years on a farm outside of Mapleton, Iowa. After the farm, they purchased a home in Battle Creek. 

Lara and Scott together raised two wonderful children, Andrew and Brittany. Lara was extremely proud of both of their children. She often talked about their accomplishments with family and friends. She held a few jobs early on, and became a homemaker so she could focus more on her family. Lara enjoyed hobbies such as collecting teddy bears, Minions, and smiley faces of all shapes and sizes; making homemade gifts and crafts; and listening to contemporary Christian music, which always lifted her spirits. Lara was a firm believer in the power of prayer and her faith in God was strong and unwavering. Her full reliance on God was, and still is, an inspiration to others. One of her favorite sayings that she would often write on envelopes when mailing letters to friends and loved ones was “In God We Trust.” She also loved sharing her favorite Bible verses to encourage others, which also helped her through her tough times. One of these verses is from Matthew 19:26, “With God all things are possible.” 

She is survived by her husband, Scott Bakos of Battle Creek, Iowa; a son, Andrew and wife, Brittany Bakos, of Elk Mound, WI; a daughter, Brittany and husband, Steven Spurling, of Hills, MN; one brother, TJ Michels, two sisters and their husbands, Christina and Jeff Peterson of St. Petersburg, FL, and Jennifer and Ryan Wadsworth of Sioux City, IA; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a nephew, AJ Michels.