They were kind, quiet men who were taken too soon. That's what friends and family are saying about 34-year-old Jacob Beneke of Maple Grove and 58-year-old Ronald Edberg of Brooklyn Center, who were among the victims of last week's workplace shooting at Accent Signage Systems in Minneapolis.
Chris Edberg said her brother, Ron, was kind and cooperative. He was good to his two children and to his mother.
Chris and Ron lived in the same Brooklyn Center apartment building. She told 12 News he was helpful to her, and called him a "brother looking out for his baby sister."
Friends said Jacob Beneke was also kind and caring. The graphic artist was known in Maple Grove for his unique sculptures made out of old bike parts, bottle caps or other miscellaneous scrap parts.
"Giant springs, parts of farm equipment, anything he could find," said Lorrie Link, executive director of the Maple Grove Arts Center, where Beneke's work was often displayed. "It was fun and playful and whimsical and we enjoyed it."
Link said Beneke had just recently joined the center's board of directors and was working to help artists display their work in local businesses. She said he was reliable and was willing to pitch in and do graphic artwork for the center's special events.
"You can tell in his art that he was happy and whimsical and just was very friendly and nice," said Link. "He will be greatly missed as an artist and a friend."
The service for Ronald Edberg is Tuesday at Methven-Taylor Funeral Home in Anoka. Visitation is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by the funeral at seven.
The service for Jacob Beneke is Wednesday at Evans-Nordby Funeral Home in Brooklyn Center. Visitation is from 10 a.m. to noon. The funeral is at noon.
Renee Banot
rbanot@twelve.tv
October 1, 2012