Bernard Alton Beckius
Bernard Beckius Obituary
Bernard (Bernie) Alton Beckius, age 73, Keystone, Nebraska, resident, passed away on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Bernard was born August 20, 1947, in North Platte, Nebraska to Henry and Wilma Z. (Seckman) Beckius of Keystone, Nebraska.
He attended grade school in Keystone and graduated with the class of 1966 in Ogallala, Nebraska. He attended the Farm and Ranch short course at the University of Nebraska. He enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard on September 20, 1967 and was discharged on September 19, 1973.
On October 6, 1968 Bernard was united in marriage to Cheryl Russell at Ogallala United Methodist Church. The couple resided at Brule Nebraska where he worked for Ballentine Brothers Inc., moving to rural Ogallala where he worked for Carson and Rod Smith Farms and moving into Ogallala where he worked for Dale’s Locker. Purchasing Dale’s Locker in 1991 and operated it until 2003 at which time he moved back to the family ranch at Keystone, Nebraska and continued ranching until the time of his death.
He enjoyed working, dancing, and playing pitch which he was known to have shot the moon to win the game. He enjoyed good times with family and friends and was able to pass the time with anyone.
He was a member of Ogallala United Methodist Church. Past Worshipful Master of Ogallala Masonic Lodge #159 A.F. & A. M. and Past Worthy Patron of Ogallala Chapter # 142 Order of the Eastern Star. He was a member of Ogallala Moose Lodge # 1624 and past President of the Nebraska Meat Locker Association.
He was a collector of Hesston (National Rodeo Finals) Belt Buckles.
Bernard is survived by his loving wife Cheryl, his Daughters and their Husbands: Christine and Will McKnight of Keystone and Carrie and Dan Knapp of Paxton. Daughter- in-Law Teri (Jake) Elmshaeuser of Ogallala. Grand Daughters Cody (Jared) Hartman, Jaycee McKnight, Jessica Beckius and Grandson Cole Beckius and Step-Grandson Donald Wells. Great Grand Children Boyd and Madelyn Hartman and Step Great Grand Daughter Anna Keith. Sisters Annette (Phil) Calkins of Grant and Carolyn Ballentine of Imperial. Sisters-in-Laws Gloria Beckius of Holyoke, Colorado and Dianne (Orv) Wiberg of Ord, Nebraska. Special friend and nephew Galen Styskal of Cheyenne, Wyoming and many other Nieces, Nephews along with extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son Justin Beckius, his parents Henry and Wilma Z. Beckius, his parent-in-laws Dale and Ruth Russell, his brother Don Beckius, Brother-in-law Dayton Ballentine, Niece Shelly Hatch and Son-in-law Robert Ware.
Visitation will be Monday, July 12, 2021 from 9AM to 6PM with family greeting friends and family from 4PM to 6PM at the Draucker Funeral Home Chapel, Ogallala Nebraska.
Funeral Services will be Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the Untied Methodist Church in Ogallala, with Rev. Chuck Rager officiating.
Memorials are suggested to Post 303 Paxton American Legion, Keystone Lemoyne Volunteer Fire Department, United Methodist Church of Ogallala or OES Star Dogs of Nebraska Inc.
Online condolences can be given at www.drauckerfh.com
Services will be live streamed from www.methodistchurchogallala.com
Draucker Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.
