Scott Bekken
Scott Bekken, age 46, of Bismarck, ND, took his final flight to heaven on Monday, April 17, 2017, at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis after a yearlong battle with leukemia, surrounded by his mother, Sandy, sister, Stephanie, and significant other, Stacy. Scott James Bekken was born on Oct. 20, 1970, in Duluth, MN, to Jim and Sandy (Erban) Bekken. Scott moved with his family to Grand Forks, ND, in 1971, and to New Rockford in 1977. He graduated from New Rockford High School in 1989, and attended Valley City (ND) State University where he graduated with bachelor of science degrees in computer science and biology. Following graduation he lived in Alaska, where he worked as a professional fishing guide from 1994 to 1996. From 1996 to 2003, he was a foreman with Schoenrock and Sons Construction, building more than 50 beautiful churches across North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Scott began taking flying lessons in February 1995 from Tracy Schoenrock at Pro Aire Flight School in Oshkosh, WI. After receiving his private pilot’s license in April 1995, he earned his commercial pilot’s license and began flying commercially in March 2003, for PACC Air in Oshkosh. He moved to Bismarck in 2008, and became a pilot and director of flight operations for Executive Air Taxi Corp. He joined Basin Electric Power Cooperative as a pilot in October 2014. Scott’s lifelong passion for fishing and hunting began at age 6, when his grandpa, Ed Erban, took him fishing and taught him how to fillet his catch. Scott was the master of cleaning fish and entertaining. He would guide friends and family to where the fish were biting and follow up with his famous fish fry. Watching his uncle, Steve Erban, fly in and out of family gatherings sparked his lifelong interest in flying, which eventually led Scott to build Tracy Schoenrock’s deck in exchange for flying lessons. He received his Instrument Flight Rules training from Shane Sedin. Scott is survived by the love of his life, Stacy Rohrich, Bismarck; her three children, Kennedy, Parker and Preston; his mother, Sandy Bekken, New Rockford, and her special friend, Gerald Kary, Dickinson, ND; his siblings, Aaron (Kit) Bekken, Snoqualmie, Wash., and Stephanie (Brady) Lyson, Dickinson; his five nephews, London and Ari Bekken, and Paxton, Jimmy and Driggs Lyson; aunts and uncles, Steven (Dorothy) Erban, Stillwater, MN, Carol Pritchard, West Fargo, ND, and Susan (Earl) Abrahamson, Dickinson; numerous cousins and friends, and his beloved Schnauzer, Mya. He was preceded in death by his father, James Bekken, maternal grandparents, Ed and Helen Erban, and paternal grandparents, Ralph and Liz Bekken. A special thank you to Dr. Shelby Terstriep, Dr. Gerald Gross and the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center; Dr. Nellie Bejanyan, Dr. Gregory Vercellotti, charge nurse Rachel and the University of Minnesota bone marrow transplant team; and the sub-specialty medical teams and staff who took care of Scott during his journey. “No one fights alone.”
PRAYER SERVICE: Friday (April 21st) at 5:30PM in First Lutheran Church, New Rockford FUNERAL SERVICE: First Lutheran Church, New Rockford, ND DATE AND TIME: Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 2PM BURIAL: Prairie Home Cemetery, New Rockford, ND |
Posted Condolences:
(Scroll down to send condolence)
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Name: Marie Molde
Date: 04/22/2017
Message: Dear Sandy and Stacy, please accept my condolences. I always enjoyed chatting with you and Scott...mostly he and I would talk about Mya. I was lucky enough to be working at Hope Lodge the evening Stacy brought her to see him, even if it was brief and just at the front door...I could see how happy they both were to be together again.
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Name: Crystal Davis (Kraft)
Date: 4-22-17
Message: Scott's family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Scott was one of the nicest guys I knew! I admire how he went after what he wanted and achieved it all! He will definitely be missed.
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Name: Jan Jechort
Date: 4/21/2017
Message: Dear Sandy and family, I was so saddened when I learned Scott had passed away. I just remember that cute little boy that I met in New Rockford many years ago. What a wonderful man he became! You are all in my prayers....God's blessing, peace, and comfort to you at this difficult time.
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Name: Jeff Graham
Date: 4/20/17
Message: Scott was truly a kind, funny and generous person. He will be missed by all those who were fortunate enough to meet him. It will always treasure his friendship. My thoughts and prayers are with Sandy and his family.
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Name: Tom Jurek
Date: 20 Apr.17
Message: Laura and I extend to the family of Scott our sincere condolences. We knew Scott from when he attended New Rockford High School and played sports with our sons, Adrian and Paul, during the time we lived there.
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Name: John Sinclair
Date: 4/20/2017
Message: It was my privilege to to share a cockpit with Scott. He was a natural and gifted aviator. He was an even better man. It saddens me greatly that he is gone.
Tail winds and blue skies on your next big trip my friend.
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Name: Jackie Harm
Date: 4/20/17
Message: I had the pleasure of working with Scott at Executive Air for 5 years. Scott was a great pilot, all of our clients loved him and so did we! He will be truly missed by all! Fly high my friend!!
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Name: Jayne Fuhrman
Date: 4-20-2017
Message: Sandy and family, my deepest sympathy to you. Losing someone is so hard. My prayers for your healing.
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Name: Jackie Bakken
Date: April 20
Message: Dear Sandy,
I am so sorry for your great loss. My heart and prayers go out to you. May God be with you and your family. Jackie Bakken
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Name: Jeff & Denise Labrensz
Date: 4-19-17
Message: Sandy, Sympathy extended to you & your family. We share your pain of losing a child. Treasure all those memories - share them with each other often.
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Name: Sheila and Ron Hartl
Date: 04/19/2017
Message: Oh, Sandy, our hearts are breaking for your loss. We want you to know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. May our Lord and Savior carry you through this deep valley.
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Name: Tara and Clay Jensen
Date: 04-19-2017
Message: Our deepest sympathies and prayers for you all during this most difficult time. We are so very sorry for your loss.
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Name: Darcy Subramaniam (Georgeson)
Date: 04/18/2017
Message: My heart breaks for this awful tragedy. Scott was the sweetest gentleman I can remember from high school! My thoughts and prayers to Sandy and the entire family. Now you all have another angel watching over you! My love and prayers to you all!!!
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Name: Tina Rice
Date: 4/18/17
Message: Scott was a fantastic guy! He tried in vain in college to teach me how to play cards, he was so patient, but I think my lack of skill finally made him give up! He was just a wonderful guy and he'd do whatever he could for you.
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Name: Justin Voller
Date: 4/17/17
Message: Scott Bekken always had a smile, always lent a hand, and always had some good witty things to say. Scott helped us a lot over the years and the friendship we shared will be heart felt forever. All good pilots go to heaven, enjoy your new wings buddy.