Howard Beste

Howard J. Beste, age 98 of Sauk Centre, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, September 25 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Sudhansu Kumar, O.S.B. officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors held by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 4:30 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Howard Joseph Beste was born June 13, 1919 in Long Prairie, Minnesota to Joseph and Mildred (Frederick) Beste. He attended country school in Todd County. In January 1942 Howard joined the U.S. Army and served until November 1945. Howard married Geraldine Olson on June 14, 1950 at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union. The couple farmed near Osakis and then near Round Prairie. In 1954 Howard started working for Little Sauk Creamery, first as a milk hauler and later as a butter maker. He also worked at the Farmer's Elevator in Sauk Centre and then started working for the City of Sauk Centre at the Street Department and City Hall for 25 years before retiring in 1984.

Howard was always tinkering with engines, creating small woodwork items, and keeping his lawn in tip-top shape. He was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre.

Survivors include his wife, Geraldine Beste of Sauk Centre; children, Gary (Brenda) Beste of Richmond, Carol (Bradley) Dahn of Park Rapids, Arlene Ludwig of Garfield, and Scott (Denise) Beste of North Bend, WA; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Mae Beste of Alexandria.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters, Harland Beste, Dorothy Mager, Eleanor Engle, Norbert Beste, and Mary Hamilton; son-in-law, Tom Ludwig; sister-in-law, Pearl Beste; and brothers-in-law, Roman Mager, Lester Engle, and Glen Hamilton.

Serving as casket bearers will be Andrew Beste, Nicholas Dahn, Eric Dahn, Christopher Ludwig, Jena Huffington, and Kari Brickweg. Cross and scripture bearers will be Kayla Dahn, Kathryn Beste, and Elena Beste.