Walter Joseph Beckel

Walter Beckel, age 94, passed away peacefully at the Benedictine Living Community in St. Peter, MN on Monday, August 6, 2018. Formerly of Le Sueur, he was born in St. Henry, MN on March 25, 1924 to Catherine Barbara (Beer) and John Theodore Beckel. In 1944, at the age of 20, Wally enlisted in the US Army, fought in the Battle of the Bulge and served his country until the end of WWII as a Corporal T5 in the communications division of field artillery. At the end of the war, he served as Corporal of the Guards, collected German POWs (those who had surrendered) and hauled them to the stockades. After that, he then had the difficult job of grave duty.

In 1946, Wally returned from the war and met his future bride at the wedding of his brother, Sonny (Annette) Beckel. Wally married Deloris Ziebarth on August 16, 1947 at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Le Sueur. The couple raised four children and farmed in the Lake Prairie and Rush River areas until 1977 when they retired from farming and moved to Le Sueur. He also served as night foreman for the Le Sueur Foundry until he retired in 1990. In retirement, Wally enjoyed woodworking, fishing, spending time with his family, bird watching, and especially loved working in his yard. He was known and loved by many for his wit and wonderful sense of humor.

Married for 71 years, Wally was a devoted husband and together with his wife modeled to all what it means to truly love your spouse. He is preceded in death by his wife Deloris, parents and brother, C.T. (Sonny) Beckel. He will be greatly missed by his sons, Thomas (Candace) of Kasota, Kenneth (Chris) of Brainerd, and John (Nicole Martin) of St. Peter; daughter, Patricia (Craig) Cina of Lino Lakes; seven grandchildren, Michael, Todd, Matthew, Shelby, Paige, Grace, and Claire; eleven great-grandchildren, Solomon, Abraham, Elana, Liam, Marcus, Kateri, Jude, Gabriel, Jacob and Isaac; and many nieces and nephews.


Visitation will be at the Kolden Funeral Home in Le Sueur on Monday, August 20 from 4-7 PM concluding with a KC Rosary at 7 PM, and will continue Tuesday from 8-10:15 AM at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, August 21 at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Le Sueur with Fr. James Adams presiding. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Sueur with Military Honors. Lunch to follow at St. Anne's School. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to St. Anne's Catholic Church in Le Sueur.
The Beckel family acknowledges with heartfelt gratitude the staff at Benedictine Living Community, St. Peter, for their compassion and attention to the needs of our dear father.

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