Caledonia Argus

Posted: 2/29/04

Verna Beckman

Verna C. Beckman, 85, of Houston, MN, died Friday, February 27, 2004, at the La Crescent Health Care Center in La Crescent, MN. She was born on August 31, 1918, in Mound Prairie Township of Houston County to Urban and Olga (Harlos) Schild. Verna attended the Bush Valley School. She married Lester Beckman on October 5, 1939, at the Parsonage of the South Ridge UBC Church. Verna and Lester farmed on South Ridge until their retirement in 1981. They built a home in Houston where Verna lived until entering the nursing home two years ago. Lester died in 1994.

Vernaís time was spent being a loving wife, very caring mother to seven children and a special grandmother. She always had a large garden and always canned all the produce for her family. Verna crocheted pillow cases for all her children and grandchildren. She was very active in the South Ridge United Methodist Church, its UMW, and was a Sunday school teacher for many years.

She is survived by six sons: Jerry (Donna), Zumbrota, Chuck (Leora), Houston, Jim (Jane), Houston, Duane (Marcia), La Crescent, Bob (Mary), Houston and Mike (Kelly), Houston; one daughter, Janet Munson, La Crescent; 20 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; one brother, Lyle (Illa) Schild, La Crescent; and two sisters, Bernice Otto and Doris Runningen, both of La Crescent.

Verna was preceded in death by her husband, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, brother, sister, and a great-granddaughter.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 2, at the South Ridge United Methodist Church in rural La Crescent with the Rev. Lora Sturm officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 5- 8:30 p.m. on Monday at Hoff Funeral Homes ñ Houston Chapel and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church.

The family prefers memorials to be directed to the South Ridge United Methodist Church Sunday School or UMW, which were two of Vernaís passions.

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