Ernest Ernie Bekkum

Ernest Bekkum, age 91 of LaCrosse, died Tuesday, March 3, 2009. Ernest 'Ernie' Bekkum, 91, of La Crosse died Tuesday, March 3, 2009. He was born December 9, 1917 to Theodore and Lisa (Oium) Bekkum. On February 14, 1942 he married Mabel Hanson at Cashton, WI. He farmed for most of his life and later worked at the Westby Feed Mill. He was a member of the Westby Ski Club and the Westby Rod and Gun Club. He was known for playing his fiddle at many community events. After he retired, he moved to La Crosse in 1979 and was a "snow bird" in Florida for 18 years. He is survived by his wife, Mabel; his son Victor (Kathy) Bekkum of Cumberland, WI, his daughters Lois (Norman) Sanwick of La Crosse, Betty (Karl) Arps of New Holstein, Ellen Hendrix of Murrieta, CA; Brenda (Joseph II) Terranova of New Berlin, Marsha (Jim) Beck of Leavenworth, KS; his 13 grandchildren John Bekkum, Everett (Melissa) Bekkum, Jeff (Amy) Sanwick, Holly (Kyle) Kisiel, Jenny (Jean Paul) Szita, Matt (Tracy) Michels, Annalise Arps, Candi (Steve) Nichols, Jill (Vince) Lombardi, Tyler Moen, Joe Terranova III, Phil (Lauren) Terranova, and Marc Terranova; 11 great grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild; his sisters in law Pearl Overgard, Marie Hanson, Shirley Hanson and Dee (Curt) Larson and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one infant son, Everett; his parents, his brother Melvin; his father and mother in law Helmer and Marie Hanson, four brothers in law Harold Hanson, Orion Hanson, Orville Blihovde and Leonard Overgard; and one sister in law Hazel Blihovde. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2009 at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. Pastor Julie Wollman will officiate with burial in Coon Prairie Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at 11:00 a.m. on Friday. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.