Service Schedule

Service
Following Telka’s wishes, a graveside service will be held in Westby, Wisconsin at a later date.

Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Tioga, ND is assisting the family.

Tekla Katherine Bekkedal
May 20, 1926 - December 17, 2020

Place of Birth: LaCrosse, WI
Residence: Mandan, North Dakota
Age: 94

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Tekla Katherine Bekkedal passed away Thursday, December 17, 2020, at Tioga Medical Long-Term Care in Tioga, ND.

Tekla was born on May 20, 1926 to Lloyd and Clara (Sherry) Bekkedal in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. She attended Westby, Wisconsin area schools and graduated in 1944. She went to college at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. She taught high school in Wisconsin and Montana. After furthering her education, she taught at colleges in Colorado, South Dakota, Minnesota and finally at Eau Claire, Wisconsin. After settling in Eau Claire, she went on to receive her doctorates in Children’s Literature from the University of Illinois. Eau Claire became her home and she taught there until she retired in 1991.

Tekla lived in Eau Claire until she moved to Bismarck in 2007 to be closer to her family. She lived at the Primrose Retirement Community until August 2020.

Tekla is survived by her nieces, Kristine (Arlin) Polsfut of Mandan, ND, Anne (Jack) Kane of Helena, MT; her nephews, Dean (Patty) Hersel and Jon (Paulette) Hersel of Tioga, ND; great nieces, Alissa (Nick) Foss, Kylie Hersel, Chelsea Hersel and Samantha (Justin) Postovit; along with her great-great niece Ashlyn Foss.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Joanna and brother-in-law, Oliver Hersel.

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Beverly Keltner (New Auburn, Wi)
Dec 24, 2020

Ms Bekkadahl was my teacher for a Children’s Literature Class at UWEC in the early 70’s. She was an awesome instructor who didn’t have to work at motivating students - her true love of literature naturally shown through in her every word! She was an awesome motivator!

Pastor Kurt Jacobson (Cumberland, WI )
Dec 25, 2020

My sympathy to Tekla’s nieces and nephews upon her death. She was dear to me - a faithful, insightful and cheerful participant in the faith community of Trinity Lutheran, Eau Claire that I served for many years. Every conversation with Tesla was a joy and I missed her when she moved. We corresponded for some years while she was able. I will hold special memories of her forever. I know she enjoys the glories of heaven this Christmas.

Rae (Schilling , WI)
Dec 26, 2020

My condolences to the family of Tekla. She was a colleague at UW Eau Claire in the 1980s. Thinking of her brings a smile to my face. I enjoyed her frankness in sharing her down to earth opinions.

Emily Moore (Eau Claire, WI)
Dec 28, 2020

My condolences to the family. Tekla was finishing up her term serving on the Feed My People board when I was hired as director. Over the years she sent me many kind and supportive notes. She holds a special place in my heart.

Sharon DeRusha
Dec 28, 2020

I send my sincere sympathy to Tekla's family. She was a beloved instructor of mine at UWEC, where her enthusiasm for children's literature was truly contagious. After I graduated she became and remained a good friend as long as she lived in Eau Claire. We stayed connected through the church we both belonged to. She was truly a wonderful person!

Emily Moore (Eau Claire, WI)
Dec 28, 2020

Dennis Aune (Underwood, Minnesota)
Dec 29, 2020

My sincere condolences to Tekla's family. Tekla had a very caring heart and reached out to help those who were less fortunate or needed a helping hand. I truly enjoyed my visits with her over the years. I know how proud she was of her nieces and nephews and the support they continually showed her.
Dennis Aune
Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota

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