Erwin C. Bekkelund

BEKKELUND, ERWIN C. Erwin C. Bekkelund, 83, of Waco, died Friday, July 30, 2004 at a local hospital. Services are 1:30pm, Monday, August 2, at First Lutheran Church with Rev. Daniel F. Brandt officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Waco Memorial North. Visitation with the family will be 3-5pm Sunday August 1, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Mr. Bekkelund was born May 2, 1921 in the Norse community of Bosque Co. to Simon and Gina Bekkelund. He attended schools in Clifton. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army in WWII. He was attached to the 81st Wildcat Division Signal Corps. Erwin served in the Pacific Theater. He married Edna Kelly on April 19, 1947 in Waco. He worked at General Tire for 38 years, retiring in 1983. Mr. Bekkelund was a member of First Lutheran Church, a charter member of V.F.W. Post # 8564 and a member of American Legion Post # 121 and a member of Sons of Norway and Scandinavian Friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin brother, Gordon; granddaughter, Gina Bekkelund; and stepmother, Lillian Bledsoe Bekkelund. Mr. Bekkelund is survived by his wife, Edna K. Bekkelund of Waco; daughters, Brenda B. Bj Keck and husband Joe of Waco and Ava C. Boehme and friend, Mike McDowell of Waco; sons, Greg J. Bekkelund and wife, Laine of Azle, Kevin R. Bekkelund and wife, Susan of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Gilbert A. Bekkelund and wife, Virginia of Waco; nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; sisters Hilma Bekkelund of Waco, Vernice Baker and Louise Lane; brother Cecil Bekkelund and wife, Bobbye of Clifton; sister-in-law, Ima Bekkelund of Waco; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lloyd and Carol Kelly of Waco; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or First Lutheran Church. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY