Ernest Lee Beck

Ernest L. Beck, 89, of Milbank, SD, formerly of Kerkhoven, MN, died Thursday, August 27th at Fairway View in Ortonville, MN.  His Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am, on Thursday, September 3rd at Countryside Covenant Church, rural Milbank, SD, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.  Funeral arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar, MN.  www.hafh.org

Ernest was born November 12, 1930, in Wallace Township, near Scotia, NE, the son of Harry and Ruth (Stubblefield) Beck.  He grew up on “the farm” northeast of Scotia, NE, where he graduated from Scotia High School in 1948.  After graduating high school, he farmed with his father and continued taking agricultural classes.   In 1951 he joined the United States Air Force and served during the Korean War.  On June 3, 1956, Ernest was united in marriage to Caroline Kinney.  They farmed and raised livestock in Scotia, NE, from 1956-1965.  They lived in Drayton, ND, from 1965-1986 and then East Grand Forks, MN, from 1986-1994.  During this time, Ernest worked for American Crystal Sugar Company working his way up to Shift Superintendent before retiring in 1993 after 32 years of employment.  After he retired, they moved to Kerkhoven, MN, where Ernest owned and operated Papa’s Antiques.  In 2016 they moved to Milbank, SD.

Faith was an integral part of Ernest’s life.  He was baptized in 1956 at Scotia Methodist Church.  While they lived in Drayton he was a member of Teien Covenant Church where he served as a trustee and church chairman.  He also supported and served on the board of Bluewater Covenant Bible Camp.  After moving to East Grand Forks they joined Hope Covenant Church and while living in Kerkhoven they belonged to First Covenant Church in Willmar.  After moving to Milbank, they joined Countryside Covenant Church.

Throughout his life, Ernest had a deep love for the soil.  He loved to watch things grow and mature.  You would often find him outside with shovel in hand tending his garden, berry patches and fruit trees, or visiting with his family about farming and gardening.  He loved hearing about everything that was going on with the farms.  He kept up on the daily markets and loved keeping track of the weather.  He also enjoyed reading, sail boating at Bluewater Covenant Bible Camp, watching football and basketball, taking apart and junking old motors and machinery, and attending auctions where he found his treasures to sell in his antique shop or give to “his girls”.  Even after living up north all those years, Ernest was still an avid Cornhusker fan and was proud to show his red!

The family of Ernest Beck will always remember him and miss him deeply.  He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Caroline and his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren:  Diann and Vernell Johnson, Gayle Liebe, Teri and Steve Anderson, Darla and Tim Zubke, Jacob Beck, David and Alisa Johnson, Philip Johnson, Eric Johnson, Katie Johnson, Ernest Liebe, Delina and Chris Woltjer, Joshua Anderson, Sarah and Steve Brennan, Isaac Zubke, Ellie Zubke, Kyler Johnson, Drew Johnson, Sawyer Johnson, Jadyn Woltjer, Caleb Woltjer, Khloe Woltjer, Nate Brennan, Lily Brennan and Hannah Brennan.

Also surviving are Joyce Kinney, Jerry Kinney, Ginny Beck, Millie Beck, Ruth Beck, many nieces, nephews, cousins and many who were dear to his heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Ruth Beck and four brothers, Donald Beck, Eugene Beck, Bernard Beck, and Darrell Beck.

Burial will be at a later date at Mount Hope Cemetery in Scotia, NE, with military honors.

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