Kenneth Beckman

Kenneth W. Beckman, 78, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Saturday, September 18, 2010 at his home. He was born July 7, 1932, on the family farm near Erhard, the son of Robert “Walter” and Katherine (Bakke) Beckman. He grew up on the farm, attending school at District #17 of rural Erhard. Kenneth entered the U.S. Army, and served during the Korean War. Following his discharge he returned to farm on the family farm, and also worked on power line construction. Most recently he was a longtime employee of the City of Breckenridge, running the city landfill, and also worked with the Street and Park Departments. In May of 1959 he married Lucille Mostue at Tonseth Lutheran Church in rural Erhard, and they had four children. Lucille died on December 4, 2009. On July 15, 1978, he married Eileen Rowland-Heggen at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elizabeth. Eileen died on November 27, 1999. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 612 and was Past Commander of the Breckenridge Post, serving on the Honor Guard with both posts. Kenneth enjoyed playing guitar and singing and played in local bands, playing softball and baseball, hunting and fishing, and gardening and canning. He was well known for his generosity of sharing his pickles and produce. He also enjoyed volunteering around Breckenridge. He considered himself a carpenter by trade. Preceding him in death were his parents; his wives, Eileen and Lucille; and a brother, Orville. Survivors include his children: Jerry “J.D.” Beckman of Fergus Falls, Dale (LuAnn) Beckman of Dent, Brenda Beckman of Fargo, Marty Beckman of Breckenridge, and stepdaughter Karen (Duane) Johnson of Dent; nine grandchildren: Andy Hovis, Justin Ott, April Beckman, Christopher Schmidt, Kim Schmidt, Erica Laddusaw, Alyssa Laddusaw, and stepgranddaughters Shanna LeMontagne and Stephanie Truesdell; six great-grandchildren: Cameron Ott, Jasmine Hovis, and step greatgrandchildren Kylie Anderson, Charles LaMontagne, Shylin LaMontagne, and Dylan Anderson; two sisters, Helen Ripley of Erhard, and Lillian (Merle) Grossman of Pelican Rapids; two brothers, Herman Beckman of Pelican Rapids, and Eugene (Linda) Beckman of Chisholm; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation: 4-7 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Service:   11 A.M. Thursday, September 23, 2010, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Curtis Deterding Interment: Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton, Minnesota Military participation by the Fergus Falls VFW and American Legion Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.