ONKEN, Nellie (Breeman) 1917-2001

ONKEN, BREEMAN, VAN RIJ

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 8/31/2009 at 20:19:04

Nellie Onken, 83, of Rushmore, Minn., died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2001, at Arnold Memorial Nursing Home, Adrian, Minn.

Services were Oct. 2 at First Presbyterian Church, Rushmore, with interment in Sunset Rest Cemetery.

Nellie Breeman was born Nov. 23, 1917, in Boyden, the daughter of Isaac and Kommertje (Van Rij) Breeman. She grew up and attended school in the Rock Rapids area.

On March 15, 1939, she married Bert Rowland in Rock Rapids. They lived near Ellsworth, Minn., before moving to a farm south of Rushmore. Her husband died Sept. 11, 1961.

On Dec. 6, 1965, she married Harm Onken in Rushmore. He died Sept. 15, 1968. She moved to Rushmore in 1977 where she worked at Rushmore Cafe about 35 years. She also worked at the Coliseum in Worthington, Minn.

She was a member of the Rushmore Booster Club and the Dodge Center American Legion Auxiliary.

Survivors include one son, Loren of Rushmore; one daughter, Mrs. Thomas (Audrey) Erwin of Dodge Center, Minn., and six grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husband; two sisters, Pauline Ver Meer and Cora Brommer, and one brother Ike Jr.