Klein Bekman, John Albert, 1850-1928

KLEINBEKMAN, BEKMAN, LUKAS, LUCAS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/9/2010 at 16:31:38

PIONEER ALTON RESIDENT GONE
J. A. Klein Bekman Came to U.S. from Netherlands in the Year 1889

J. A. Klein Bekman died Friday morning, Feb. 17th, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Peter Lucas, after a short illness. Mr. Bekman was a resident of Alton since 1889 when he came from the Netherlands with his family. He was 78 years of age. For many years he has been a familiar figure in the local tailor shop, where he assisted his son, J. A. Bekman. An obituary giving details of his life appears on another page. Mr. Bekman was of a kindly nature and pleasant disposition, a good neighbor and fine citizen, and will be missed by many besides his immediate family.

Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 20th at the First Reformed church, the pastor, Rev. Euwema using the first chapter of Phillipians 21st verse, as the text of his sermon. Among those present from out-of-town were Mr. and Mrs. Jake Markus, Eunice and Victor Bekmann, Orange City; Leo K. Bekman, Ida Grove; Elmer K. Bekman, Ottumwa; Dr. and Mrs. R. L. Corbin, Norway, Ia.; Miss Gertrude K. Bekman, Ames; Mr. and Mrs. Will Van Bruggen, John Koerselman, Matlock; Mr. and Mrs. Ben Koerselman and son Gerrit, George; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Koerselman, Mr. and Mrs. John Dokter, Dick and Gerrit Koerselman Jr., Gerrit Koerselman Sr., John Wissink and son, all of Middleburg; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sneller, Sioux Center; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Oolbekkink of Newkirk; Arie Lucas and John Wansink, Sheldon; Mr. and Mrs. John Smeenk, Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Slothuuber, Orange City.

Source: Alton Democrat, Feb. 24, 1928, p. 1

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John Albert Klein Bekman was born in The Netherlands, Province of Gelderland, on the 18th of April, 1850, and at the time of his death, on Feb. 17, 1928, had nearly reached the age of 78 years.

In 1874 he was united in marriage to Gertie Lukas, and to the union six children were born, two of whom died in infancy, and Henry, the oldest son, died in December, 1915, at the age of 40 years.

Three children, all residing in Alton, Iowa, survive him, John K., Gertie, now Mrs. E. D. Smedley, and Dena, now Mrs. Peter Lucas; also 11 grandchildren.

In the spring of 1889, John Albert Klein Bekman immigrated with his family to his present home in Alton, Iowa, accompanied by his father and mother, and his two sisters, Mrs. G. Koerselman and Mrs. Anton Slothouber, constituting his entire family, and all of whom have preceded him in death.

In February of 1918, he laid away his loving wife and life companion and since that time had made his home with his youngest daughter, Mrs. Peter Lucas.

Upon locating in Alton he became identified with the Dutch Reformed church, to which he remained a loyal member until his death. In his conviction he was a Pre-Millennist, and looked forward hopefully and joyfully to the ending of the present reign of Sin and Death, and to the return of his absent Lord and Savior and the establishment of His Kingdom on Earth, accompanied by its reign of Righteousness, and the restoration and restitution from all the havoc that has been wrought as a result of Adamic sin; and with a childlike faith he believed in the fulfillment of all of God's promises spoken by His Prophets of old.

Source: Alton Democrat, Feb. 24, 1928, p. 7.