Legesse Bekele Dikir was born on August 20, 1956, in Gulele, Addis Ababa, and grew up in the Abware area in a lively and loving household. He was the son of Ato Bekele Dikir and W/o Wolete Yohannes Wolde Amanuel.

He attended Dagmawi Minilik Elementary School and Asfawesen (Misrak Atekalie) High School. During his youth, he participated in Edget Behibret in Kuyeha, Tigray, an experience that shaped his principled character.

Legesse studied at the Faculty of Science at Addis Ababa University before earning a scholarship to the former Soviet Union, where he completed a master’s degree in electrical engineering. After returning to Ethiopia, he taught and worked as an Electrical Engineering expert at the Ethiopian Electric Power Authority. He later completed a 17‑month Computer Science program supported by the Government of Finland and continued teaching at the Science and Technology Commission until immigrating to the United States in 1997.

In the United States, he pursued further technical training at Harizon College in Madison, Wisconsin, and later worked for the State of Wisconsin with quiet determination until his retirement in 2022.

Legesse was known for his calm presence, steady integrity, and the gentle way he moved through the world. He faced challenges without complaint and found his greatest joy in his family, especially the children whose presence always brightened his face.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Begashaw, and by Emuye Beimenet Birhanu, whom he lovingly raised as his daughter. He is also survived by his sisters Genet Deferes, Almaz Bekele, Asnaketch Bekele, and Hanna Bekele, along with many nieces, nephews, and their children. He was deeply loved and supported by Rahel Seyoum and Birhanu Aberra.

He will be remembered with gratitude, respect, and enduring love.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Ryan Funeral Service & Legacy Center, 6728 Mader Drive, Madison. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Guests are invited to join the family for a luncheon following the burial at Ryan Funeral Service & Legacy Center, 6728 Mader Drive, Madison.

Legesse Bekele

August 20, 1956 - January 23, 2026

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