Story originally printed in the Westby Times or online at www.westbytimes.com
Published - Thursday, May 15, 2008
Owen Bekkum to serve as 2008 Westby Syttende Mai Parade Marshal
Owen Bekkum lives in Madison, but in his heart, Westby will always be home. Bekkum will be returning home in style on May 16-18, when he makes his appearance as the 2008 Westby Syttende Mai Parade Marshal.
The son of Alfred and Huldah Bekkum, Owen graduated from Westby Area High School in 1942 and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from U.W. Madison in 1950. Ever since Bekkum was a freshman in high school he knew he wanted to be a CPA. It wasn’t a glamourous job, but he was good with numbers and now they’ve been good to him, along with countless others who have reaped the rewards of his generous nature.
Someone once told Bekkum the name of his autobiography should be,”I’ve lived a Charmed Life”, and he would be the first to agree.
From the time he was drafted in to the Army he knew he lived a charmed life. While his two best friends and high school classmates, Clifford Bakkestuen and Stanley Lunde, were both killed during the war, Bekkum remained assigned to homeland duty-something he still feels some remorse for even though he knows those decisions were beyond his control.
After serving his country, Bekkum, returned to Wisconsin. He earned his college degree and married his first wife, Dorothy, with whom he had the privilege of spending 50 wonderful years until her death in 2000.
Most of his life, Bekkum seemed to have the world by the tail. If he applied for a job, he was hired, if he wanted to relocate, it happened, and if people needed a helping hand, he was financially sound enough to lend it. Before his retirement in 1988, Bekkum had worked his way up the ladder of Northern Illinois Gas Company to the position of CEO. He worked for the company for 25 years, half of which he spent as President or CEO.
Being good with numbers paid off for Bekkum, who learned early in life how to pinch a penny and save a dollar. Bekkum appreciated his financial security, but his real enjoyment through the years came through helping others.
From a huge investment in Norskedalen, where the Bekkum family homestead is located, to the construction of Westby’s Bekkum Memorial Library, he has made a difference.
In the city of Westby his generous spirit is utilized daily by hundreds of people who visit the Bekkum Memorial Library weekly. His generous donation of over $250,000 earned him the structure's namesake, which is near and dear to his heart and his love of education.
“Building a library in Westby was one of the simplest decisions I’ve ever had to make. I believe everyone is entitled to an education and a library is the perfect place to start. People should educate themselves every day whether they’re at home, work or in school,” Bekkum said.
For Bekkum his most rewarding gift is the $20,000 in scholarships he distributes annually to graduating seniors who are planning to further their education in college. Bekkum has always stressed the importance of a good education. In 2001, he honored his late wife by creating the “Dorothy A. Bekkum Memorial Scholarship” and provides the financial backing for the “Elmo and Maggie Gulsvig Scholarship”. Three generous scholarships are presented annually through the Westby Norse Fund to students graduating from Westby Area High School to help further their education.
“A good education can open up a world of opportunity that might otherwise remain closed. While a library opens the doors to a well-rounded education, a scholarship helps to advance that newfound knowledge. I’m just happy to promote both,” Bekkum said.
Even after he lost the love of his life, he kept his family roots strong. Although the Bekkums never had children of their own, he always found time to spend with his nieces and nephews. When Bekkum wasn’t working or visiting with family and friends, he could often be found shining another love in his life-a special collection of antique automobiles, which have held a special place in Westby Syttende Mai parades since the 1970s. Bekkum has downsized the number of collector cars he owns to four, but admits to buying, restoring and selling over 75 cars during his lifetime.
“One year I had seven cars in the parade. This year I’ll have my two Rolls Royces. Maybe I’ll even get to ride in one of them,” Bekkum said with a wink.
Bekkum hasn’t missed a Syttende Mai celebration since 1972. He loves returning home and has been awarded the honor of selecting the “Bekkum Memorial Award” rosemaling design winner during the Coulee Region Rosemalers show and sale held in the Westby Community Center during Syttende Mai.
Today Bekkum is enjoying his retirement with his second wife, Naomi (Flugstad) Bekkum. He returns to Westby as often as possible to visit relatives and old friends. He’s honored to have been selected as the 40th annual Westby Syttende Mai Parade Marshal and hopes the streets are full of spectators, that Mother Nature is cooperative, that visitors realize what a special city Westby is and that everyone sees firsthand what a wonderful celebration Syttende Mai is.
All stories copyright 2006 Westby Times and other attributed sources.