Bekman, John K. 1878-1953

BEKMAN, LUCAS, WESTERFIELD

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--volunteer
Date: 5/19/2016 at 23:25:16

Source: Sioux County Capital (2-12-1953)

Born: February15, 1878
Died: February 4, 1953

John Klein Bekman who had been ill for some time, died last Wednesday morning at the Grossmann Hospital at Orange City. He was born in Netphen, Gelderland, The Netherlands February 15, 1878. At the age of 11 years he came with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Klein Bekman, and family to the United States. They located in Alton, where the father entered the merchant tailoring business.

The senior Bekman bought a tailoring establishment at Orange City for his son Henry, and John became business manager for his father at Alton.

At the age of 21 he was united in marriage to Katie Lucas of Alton. To this union six children were born; Lewis and Robert having died in infancy. The surviving children are Elmer of Ottumwa; Dora, Mrs. R.L. Corbin of St. Paul; Mrs. Gertrude Fields of Batavia, Illinois; Richard of San Francisco, California. Mrs. Bekman died February 9, 1940.

In 1941 Mr. Bekman married Mrs. Elizabeth Westerfield of Omaha, Nebraska who survives with the four children, a granddaughter, Mrs. Richard Loren of Iowa City, and a great-grandson Richard Ellis Bekman Loren.

Also surviving is a sister, Mrs. Gertrude Smedley of Alton. The brother Henry and sister, Dena, Mrs. Peter Lucas preceded Mr. Bekman in death.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon. A short services at the Allen Funeral Home was followed by a service at the Orange City Gospel Church. Reverend Jn. Woodward of Fort Wayne, Indiana officiated.

Honorary pallbearers were Senator Dykhouse of Rock Rapids and Senator Watson of Sanborn, appointed by the State Senate in honor of their colleague Senator Elmer K. Bekman.