Russell Becken, 94
1912 - 2006
Russell W. Becken, 94, of Fergus Falls, died Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, at his home.
He was born Dec. 20, 1912, in Thief River Falls, the son of Peter and Wilhelmina (Habedunk) Becken. He grew up in Erskine and graduated from Erskine High School in 1930. He attended William Hood Dunwoody Institute of Minneapolis for two years and received certification in the Electrical and Electronics Departments. In 1944 Russell graduated as an electrical engineer from the International School of Correspondence (ICS) of Scranton, Penn.
From 1932 to 1933 he was a partner in the Becken Brothers business of radio sales and electrical contract work in Erskine. From 1933 to 1934 he worked in sales and as an appliance and radio serviceman for Montgomery Ward Co. in Thief River Falls. Between 1934 and mid 1935 he worked for American-England “Pato Gold Mining Co.” in central Columbia, South America, doing construction of diesel and hydroelectric plants.
His career in the electric utility business started in Bemidji, in 1936, for Interstate Power Co. of Dubuque, Iowa. Several months with Westinghouse Co. in St. Paul led to acquiring this job. In 1940 he became local manager for the electric and water systems of Cass Lake.
On June 30, 1941, he married Marjorie Whitney of Crookston and they made their home in Cass Lake. They moved to Fergus Falls in 1944 when Russell assumed new duties as an electrical utility dispatcher for Otter Tail Power Company. Promotions followed to staff engineer (1948-1949) at Fergus Falls Division, engineer at Jamestown, N.D., from 1949 to September 1953, construction superintendent from 1953 to 1958 at Fergus Falls, superintendent of transmission and distribution from 1958 to 1974, and manager of transmission and distribution from 1974 until his retirement in 1978.
Russ was president of the Chamber of Commerce in Cass Lake, chairman of the Tourist and Convention Committee for the Chamber of Commerce in Fergus Falls, member and president of Toastmasters in Fergus Falls, and was a member of the Fergus Falls Elks Club.
As a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church he served on the council and various committees. An active Boy Scouter, he served as district chairman and was the recipient of the District Award of Merit.
Russ was a longtime member of Red River Valley Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) International Society. He was a senior life member of this organization.
He was an ardent sportsman, enjoying golfing, bowling, ice fishing, snowmobiling, water skiing and hunting, especially hunting with bow and arrow. He was a longtime member of both Minnesota and North Dakota Bow Hunting Associations.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Marjorie, his beloved wife of 49 years; and his brother, Eugene.
Russell is survived by his daughter, Carol (Jim) Jacobs of Laramie, Wyo.; his son, Peder (Jean) Becken of Duluth; grandchildren: Teresa Jacobs-Castano of Laramie, Wyo., Dennis (Brenda) Jacobs of Sheridan, Wyo., Kari Becken of Duluth, Ryan (Misty) Becken, and Andrew Becken, all of St. Paul; and great-grandchildren: Anthony and Samantha Castano of Laramie, Wyo., and Wade and Toby Jacobs of Sheridan, Wyo.
Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls.
Clergy: Rev. Kate Bruns
Burial: Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls