The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-08-25
Mankato Councilman Sue
eumbed To Illness Today
STRICKEN IN MILL CITY
Had Been Unconscious For
Some Time; He Was Well
Known Business Man
From Saturdays Daily.

From Saturdays Daily.
MAIDS Jorgenson Bekke vice presi-
dent of the Mankato council, passed
away at his home, 4091b North Front
street at eleven o'clock this morning,
death being caused by the results at
| tendant upon the stroke which he
suffered after becoming overheated
while driving in his automobile to
Minneapolis on July 81. The follow
ing day, while walking on the side
walk of one of the Minneapolis streets
Mr.. Bekke was suddenly stricken and
fell upon the walk. He was taken to
the office of DR.. ROSenwald, formerly
a MankatO physician, and was taken
from there to the Norwegian Luth-
eran DeacOness hospital, where he
was given the best attention procur-
able. He underwent two tapping OPP
| erations upon the spine, and AFTER
ward appeared to be regaining his
health, recovering sufficiently to re-
turn to his home in this city on Aug
ust 5, and attending to business at
his hardware store, and also being
present at meetings of the council.
Again Taken III.
Last Sunday, August Is, he was
again taken seriously ill and suffered
a hemorrbage of the brain, which re-
suited in loss of speech. He remained
in semi conscious condition until
Thursday, when he seemed to be con-
scious for several hours, and appar-
emily recognized his wife and his son
Aaron and daughter, Miss Edna, as
| they leaned over his bedside. Thurs
days rally seemed to mark the crisis
in his illness, which suddenly took a
turn for the worse, developing brain
fever, and he lapsed into unconsci-
BUSINESS, remaining in that condition
until the end. sr
Death Occasions Sorrow.
| Although Mr.. Bekke's death was
not entirely unexpected, as recovery
| from an illness such as his is always
doubtful, his sudden passing occa-
sions deepest sorrow to all who knew
him, and the sincerest sympathy of
Mankato citizens is felt for the be-
reaved family, who have lost a be-
loved husband and father. Mr.. Bekke
was an enterprising business man,
and made his own way in the world,
rising to an important place in the
business world, and to a position of
honor and trust in municipal affairs
through sheer worth of character and
steadfastness of purpose. He was a
member of the Elks lodge, and a
member of the U. G. T. Last spring
he was elected a member of the
Mankato city council, and this spring
he was elected vice-president of the
council
| Native of Denmark.
| Mr.. Bekke was born in Denmark
on December 80, 1868, and came to
America about thirty years ago dur
ing his early manhood, settling at
first at Owatonna where he had rela
tives. He was united in marriage to
Miss Maren Christensen on August
20, 1891, and they had planned on
celebrating their silver wedding upon
the anniversary this month. They
made their home in Owatonna for
about nine years, after which they
removed to Minneapolis and Mr..
Bekke was employed as travelling
salesman for awhile. Later he en-
gagged in the hardware business at
Sleepy Eye and also at Evan, Mimi,
having a partner in the business at
both places. About seven years ago
he sold out his business at Sleepy
Eye and removed his family to Man
kato, starting a hardware store at
| 400 North Front street, which he
continued to operate up to the time
of his last illness. He sold out his
business at Evan shortly after COM
ing to Mankato, and confined his
time to attending to his Mankato
store.
Surviving relatives are the widow,
son Aaron, daughter Edna, all of this
city; brother, Peter H. Bekke,
Minneapolis; half brother, John
| Peterson, Canada; an aged mother
and two half brothers, Jens and Nels
Peterson, living in Denmark.
The funeral will be held next
Tuesday, and announcements will be
made Monday.
Paid Graceful Tribute.
Mayor Lamm this afternoon paid a
graceful tribute to the character OF
the late Councilman Bekke, whom he
had learned to respect highly as a
fellow worker on the city council.
He said: Councilman Bekke gave
his best efforts to his duties on the
council. He was always upright in
his principles and dealings and out
spoken in his views, and nothing
could swarve him from what he con-
sidered to be the right course to pur-
sue. He was as honest as he was
| fearless, and his death is a great
loss to the city government, and one
that we will all feel personally Mr..
Bekke gave very largely of his time
to his position, and took a very act
i've interest in everything for the
welfare or upbuilding of the CITY,"
Mayor Lamm further stated that,