Solveig M. Beckmen, 90
Solveig Maakestad Beckmen, 90, of Brandon, died Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Bethany Home in Brandon. Her Memorial Service will begin at 1 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church with Family Present Visitation beginning at 12:00 p.m. Graveside Services will be held at Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery in Glenwood, Minn., at a later date. Visit www.georgeboom.com for a live stream link and online guestbook.
Solveig was born Nov. 24, 1934 at Rochester, Minn., to Norvald and Agnes (Linnevold) Maakestad. She grew up and attended school in Rochester and Sioux Falls. Solveig married Richard (Dick) Beckmen on May 31, 1956 at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., where they met in the orchestra. She was mother to Kari (Neil) Sorensen, Siri (Jeff) Sorenson, John (Abby) Beckmen, and Mikkel (Lois) Beckmen, and grandmother to Siri and Annika Beckmen and Anna and Jorey Sorenson.
Solveig graduated with a BA in English from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., in 1956. She taught English in Anoka, Minn., and Bismarck, N.D. She was a pastor’s spouse and homemaker when Dick served ELCA Lutheran parishes in Reeder, Stanley, and Bismarck, N.D. When they moved to Minneapolis, Minn., she became a long-time secretary for the education department of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. In retirement, Solveig and Dick returned to Northfield and eventually moved to Brandon, SD.
Solveig and Dick traveled the world, loved canoeing the BWCAW, and spending time at the family cabin at the end of the Arrowhead Trail in northern Minnesota. She was a cellist and was a member of the Danner Strings. She shared her music at church, for special events, and weddings. Solveig was a storyteller, with one highlight being sharing John’s Easter gospel with 30,000 youth at an ELCA national youth gathering in New Orleans. Solveig was a voracious reader and loved words, treasuring her Oxford English Dictionary. She did a daily crossword puzzle and cryptogram. She edited Dick’s books and co-authored a devotional with him for newly married couples.
Solveig had the gift of hospitality and loved to cook and share fellowship around the dining room table. Solveig lived her faith as a member of the Order of St. Luke, an ecumenical healing ministry, as a spiritual director, as a lector, a Bible study and prayer group participant, and as one who studied Sophia – the wisdom of God.
Grateful for sharing her life are her children, Kari (Neil), Siri (Jeff), John (Abby), and Mikkel (Lois); and her grandchildren Siri (Ryan Rothaus), Anna (Adam Hirsch), Annika (Vance Wicker), and Jorey; sisters-in-law, Bobbie Maakestad, Barbara Miles, Constance Mampe; brother-in-law, Tom and Judy Beckmen; and many beloved nieces and nephews, family and friends.
Solveig was preceded in death by her husband, Dick Beckmen, her parents Norvald and Agnes (Linnevold) Maakestad, and her siblings Joanne Holz and John Maakestad.
Memorials are preferred to the Richard Beckmen Rural Ministry scholarship at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. or St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., or the charity of your choice.
