Albert Beckman

Albert Joseph “Bud” Beckman of Fergus Falls, formerly of Wendell, died peacefully after a short illness, surrounded by friends and family, at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls, MN on Saturday, March 19, 2011. Bud was born in Powers Lake, ND on June 28, 1917 to Bernard and Clara (Koltes) Beckman. He and Ruth Sheehy were married on April 15, 1940 in Brandon, MN. The two of them raised their family in Wendell. There, Bud owned and operated Beckman Oil with his brother, Lawrence. He was mayor of Wendell for several years, volunteered with their fire department and was a member of the local Eagles Club. Bud was a member of St. Olaf Catholic Church in Elbow Lake. After moving to Fergus Falls in 2005, he became a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. Bud loved to fish, hunt and was an avid gardener of flowers and vegetables. He was known for his wine making and enjoyed sharing it with friends and family.   Bud was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters: Evelyn, Florence, Elizabeth, Dorothy and Pearl; and brothers: Lawrence and Bernard. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Fergus Falls, MN; his three children: Sharon (Ken) Carpenter, of Detroit Lakes, MN, Bernie (Nancy) Beckman, of Otter Tail Lake, MN and Kathy (Mark) Swenson, of Mitchell, SD; seven grandchildren: Sheila (Jeff) Laney, Thomas (Trish) Strom, Jon (Theresa) Strom, Tracy (Greg) Schmidt, Thomas (Kerby) Beckman, Kristin (Steve) Heinemann and Kirk (Dawn) Swenson; fifteen great-grandchildren: Courtney Wipf, Mathew Strom, Elizabeth and Patrick Strom, Kateri, Maggie, Annie, Tom, Isaac and Giana Schmidt, Ian Beckman, Mackenzie and Josh Heinemann, Abigail and Jacob Swenson; three siblings: Mary Rufer, Mickey Schuster and Rodney Beckman; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.  Visitation: One hour before the service at the church Service:  11 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2011 Church: Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 207 North Vine, Fergus Falls, MN Clergy:    Father Greg Paffel Interment:  St. Loretto Catholic Cemetery in Elbow Lake Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.