Nolan D. Bekke


Nolan D. Bekke, 78, passed away on May 20, 2010 at St. Vincent Healthcare.

He was born on March 15, 1932 in Nidarous Township, Minnesota, the 5th child of Martin Christian and Magdalene Josephine Stubskin Bekke.  Nolan was preceded in death by his brother Walter Bekke.  He was blessed to spend time with his three sisters, Shirley Johnson, Marlys Torgerson and Doris Anderson, along with his brother Kermit Bekke prior to his death.

He graduated from Battle Lake High School in 1950.  After high school, he continued to work on the family farm and began his career in construction assisting in the building of several barns and homes.

In 1961 he headed west with a friend and ended up in Billings, Montana where he worked for Overgaard-Davidson, Pete Pederson and Kober Construction.  He started his own construction company in 1970, and built numerous homes in Billings and the surrounding area until he retired due to health issues in 1978.

On September 1, 1962 he married the love of his life, Nancy Lee Hague in Absarokee, Montana at the Congregational Church.  They were blessed with 3 children, Natalie Sue, Nathan Eric and Neal Michael and raised them in Billings.

After retiring, Nolan enjoyed many hobbies.  He traveled to Canada each year for 13 years with his friends to fish for pike and walleye.  He began doing lapidary and woodworking, and could always be seen mowing the lawn or driving around the neighborhood on his garden tractor.  He loved to play cards and Scrabble and was always up for a game of checkers or Sorry! with his grandchildren.

Nolan was quick with a joke and had the gift of making others laugh.  He was a model of courage, perseverance and strength.  He was cherished by his family and friends and will be greatly missed.

Nolan is survived by his wife, Nancy; children Natalie Sue (Will) Robbins, Nathan Eric (Christi) Bekke, and Neal Michael Bekke; grandchildren Kasidy and Derek Robbins, and Tanner and Vivian Bekke; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, May 24 at 2 p.m. at Michelotti-Sawyers.  Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.  Memorials may be made to the Special K Ranch

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