- Date Of Birth: December 24, 1947
- Date Of Death: June 27, 2021
- State: Iowa
Kanella N. Bakas, 73, of Urbandale, Iowa, passed away Sunday, June 27, 2021, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center.
Kanella N. Bakas was born December 24, 1947, to Nick K. and Wanda Louise (Grisham) Bakas in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Kanella graduated Iowa Falls High School with the class of 1966. Kanella had a son, Jesse in 1974 who she sadly lost way too soon in 1977. Kanella spent most of her adult life in the Des Moines area, with a few years adventurous stint in Texas. She worked in various retail positions including store manager at Catherines and department manager at Von Maur. Kanella was active in the nonprofit organization, Iowa AED Access For All, whose mission is to bring attention to the need for AEDs (automatic external defibrillators) everywhere people work, learn, and play. She helped establish the nonprofit in Iowa, acted as Treasurer, and worked at numerous events (such as Heart Walks), teaching people how to use an AED and CPR. She enjoyed this life saving advocacy work, and the friendships that came with it. Kanella is survived by a sister: Linda (Gary) Baker of Bettendorf, Iowa; a brother: John (Robin) Bakas of Colorado; a half brother Bob (Lisa) Boyer of Denver, Colorado.
Kanella was preceded in death by her son Jesse Bakas; her parents: Nick and Wanda Bakas; her sisters: Georgia Balvanz and Nickoletta Bakas; and her brother: Kosta Bakas.
