Bekman, Cornelia “Kate” (Mrs. John K.), 1877-1940

BEKMAN, LUCAS, BOMGAARS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/15/2022 at 21:14:40

Bekman, Cornelia, born 14 Jun 1877, died 9 Feb 1940, mother, buried in Nassau Township cemetery Alton IA as listed in the Sioux County Cemetery index.

From the Sioux County Capital, February 15, 1940

MRS. JOHN K. BEKMAN

Mrs. John K. Bekman, nee Cornelia Lucas, was born June 14, 1877 in Pella, Iowa, the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Lucas. The family later moved to Alton, Iowa. She was married to John K. Bekman, and to this happy union six children were born, two dying in infancy.

In her early teens she expressed her desire to serve her Lord by uniting with the Dutch Reformed church. At a later date she changed her membership to the Presbyterian church, since she favored the English language. Mrs. Bekman died Feb 9, 1940 in a Ft. Dodge hospital.

She is survived by her husband, John K. Bekman; two sons, Elmer of Ottumwa, Iowa, and Richard of Alton; and by two daughters, Mrs. R. L. Corbin (Dora) of Lu Verne, Iowa, and Mrs. Wm. Fields (Gertrude) of North Aurora, Ill.; three sisters: Nell Lucas of Alton, Cynthia Lucas of Sioux City, Alice Lucas of Omaha, and five brothers: Peter and Herbert Lucas of Alton, Arie of Sheldon, Henry of Topeka, Kansas and John of Milwaukee; and by one granddaughter, Nellie Louise, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer K. Bekman.

Funeral services were held for Mrs. Bekman Monday afternoon Feb. 12 in the Presbyterian church. Rev. Munneke read the scriptures and offered prayer. Mrs. Elmer K. Bekman sang two numbers accompanied at the organ by Mrs. R. Van Zyl. L. H. Norby of Minneapolis a close friend of the family gave the discourse. After which interment was made in Nassau cemetery.

All of the children were present at the closing moments of Mrs. Bekman's life who died in the Lutheran hospital in Fort Dodge, Feb. 9. All the children and in-laws with the exception of Mr. Field were here and remained until after the funeral. Among others from out of town who were here were John Lucas from Milwaukee, Alice Lucas from Omaha, Cynthia Lucas from Sioux City, Mr. and Mrs. Arie Lucas and family from Sheldon, Miss Joan Currans from Ft. Dodge, Dr. and Mrs. T. L. Williams of Lu Verne and Mrs. Alfred Rustad of Huron Lake, Minn., also Mr. and Mrs. Leo Bekman of Ida Grove.

* * * * * * * * * *

From the Alton Democrat, February 16, 1940:

MRS. J. K. BEKMAN OF ALTON PASSES ON
DIED FRIDAY AT FT. DODGE HOSPITAL
Born At Pella In 1877—Lived Here Since 1881

The death of Mrs. J. K. Bekman early Friday morning shocked and grieved the Alton community, which was her home since early childhood. She had been in good health until a week before her death when she became indisposed and for several days had been in the care of her daughter, Mrs. R. L. Corbin of LuVerne, a trained nurse. On Tuesday night she was taken by ambulance to a Fort Dodge hospital where specialists found that her condition was beyond medical aid. She passed on peacefully at 12:15 A.M., Friday. Peritonitis was the immediate cause of her death.

Mrs. Bekman, the former Kate Lucas, was the oldest child of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Lucas, pioneer Alton residents, who came here from Pella in 1881. Her whole lifetime was one of unselfish devotion to her family and their interests were always first. A woman of boundless energy, she was a tireless worker and always found tasks for her hands to do. Her kindness extended beyond her family and her life will be an inspiring example to hundreds of friends. An ideal home life which she appreciated and enjoyed to the fullest, was a measure of reward for her untiring service to others. The annual motor trips made for some years with her devoted husband and younger son Richard, were happy experiences which enriched her life. The family did all in their power to prolong her life on this earth.

Mrs. John K. Bekman, nee Cornelia Lucas, was born June 14, 1877, in Pella, Iowa, the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Lucas. The family later moved to Alton, Iowa. She was married to John K. Bekman, and to this happy union six children were born, two dying in infancy.

In her early teens she expressed her desire to serve her Lord by uniting with the Dutch Reformed church. At a later date she changed her membership to the Presbyterian church, since she favored the English language.

Upon full maturity and at her own request this membership was severed, when both she and her husband in their search for truth became conscious and convinced that God’s Word held out greater hopes for humanity than were expressed in the doctrines and creeds of men. At this time she made a full consecration to serve her Lord and Master, whom she had more deeply learned to love and serve. Following His example, this she symbolized by immersion in a watery grave. These vows she endeavored to carry out till death, desiring to be one with her Lord in His Kingdom, that she might have the privilege to serve Him there in the blessing of all families of earth, as she had served her own family here. This hope she cherished and shared with many others of similar precious faith, whose fellowship she deeply loved.

“Men make His love too narrow
Through false limits of their own.
And they magnify His vengeance
With a zeal He will not own.”

Mrs. Bekman died Feb. 9, 1940. She is survived by her husband, John K. Bekman; two sons, Elmer of Ottumwa, Iowa, and Richard of Alton; and by two daughters, Mrs. R. L. Corbin (Dora) of Lu Verne, Iowa, and Mrs. Wm. Fields (Gertrude) of North Aurora, Ill.; three sisters: Nell Lucas of Alton, Cynthia Lucas of Sioux City; Alice Lucas of Omaha, and five brothers: Peter and Herbert Lucas of Alton, Arie of Sheldon, Henry of Topeka, Kansas, and John of Milwaukee; and by one grandchild, Nellie Louise, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer K. Bekman, and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Presbyterian church, where the altar was banked with flowers. The pastor, Dr. S. A. Munneke, read Scriptural selections preceding remarks and Scriptural citations by L. H. Norby, young Minneapolis business man and long-time friend of the Bekman family. Mrs. Elmer Bekman of Ottumwa sang two appropriate songs, favorite hymns of her mother-in-law. She was accompanied by Mrs. Ralph Van Zyl who also played the organ vol[illegible].

Pallbearers were young friends and neighbors, including Dave [Crockett?], Wesley Keizer, Arnold Dowma, Dick Mulder, Joe and Ray Smeenk. Interment was in Nassau Township cemetery.

Among the many relatives and friends who filled the church were Dr. and Mrs. R. L Corbin of LuVerne; State Senator and Mrs. Elmer K. Bekman of Ottumwa; Mrs. Fields of Aurora, Ill.; John Lucas, Milwaukee, Wis.; Miss Alice Lucas of Omaha and Miss Cynthia Lucas of Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. Arie Lucas, Sheldon; Mr. and Mrs. Leo Bekman, Ida Grove; Mrs. Alfred Rustad, a former neighbor now living at Heron Lake, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Dick Visser, Doon; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Roos, Ashton; Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Brinkman, Mrs. Jake Wobbema, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bomgaars, Mrs. Wassink and son, all of Sheldon; Mrs. Van Bruggen, Mr. and Mrs. John Koerselman, Matlock; Mr. and Mrs. John Dokter, Middleberg; Mr. and Mrs. John Smit, John Reinders, Mrs. Hunnick, all of Hull; Dr. and Mrs. W. S. Williams, LuVerne; Miss Joan Currans, Ft. Dodge, and many friends from neighboring towns.

* * * * * * * * * *

RESEARCH NOTES

Her death certificate has her as Mrs. Kate Bekman, wife of John K. Bekman; born June 14, 1877 in Pella, Iowa; parents John Lucas, born in Holland, and D. Bomgaars, born in Pella; died in the Lutheran Hospital, Fort Dodge, Iowa, where she had been for two days, at 12:10 a.m. February 9, 1940; cause, general peritonitis, duration 5 days, due to perforative ??ole systitis, duration 5 days; other conditions, uraemia, duration 2 days.

The Sioux County marriage register for 1900 has groom John Klein Bekman, age 23, residence Alton, a merchant tailor, born in the Netherlands, parents J. A. Klein Bekman and Gertie Lucas; bride Cornelia Lucas, age 23, residence Alton, born in Pella, Iowa, parents John Lucas and Dirkje Bomgaards [i.e., Bomgaars]; married in Alton March 27, 1900. [Transcriber’s note: although the marriage register does not credit her with an occupation, she was trained and working as a ladies’ tailor.]

Her FindaGrave.com page adds the names of her two sons who died in infancy: Lewis (1905-1906) and Robert John (Oct.-Nov. 1912).