John Beilke

John B. Beilke, age 83 of Sauk Centre passed away Monday, March 17, 2014 at Lakeview Ranch in Dassel, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, March 21 at Zion Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Marty Porter officiating. Inurnment will follow at a later date in Silver Creek Cemetery in West Union.

Friends may call from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church.

John Bernard Beilke was born November 28, 1930 in Kandota Township, Todd County, Minnesota to Otto and Bertha (Kiffmeyer) Beilke. Growing up, John worked as a farmhand for the Gamradt Brothers. In 1952 he enlisted in the United States Army. John served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1954. In 1956 he was united in marriage to Donna Whiting. Donna passed away a year later. On October 5, 1963 he was united in marriage to Lois Schmidt at Zion Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre. John was a lifelong resident of Sauk Centre and worked at Culligan, the Minnesota Department of Corrections, and St. Michael's Hospital.

John was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed playing cards, trips to the casino and Branson, Missouri, and spending time with his family at the lake.

John was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 67 and was a lifetime member Paul F. Donart VFW Post 2853. John was also a member of the Minnesota Retired State Employees Association (MRSEA).

Survivors include his children, Marilyn Meyer of Brooten, George (Peg) Beilke of St. Cloud, Kathi (Michael) Hoeschen of Sauk Centre, and Marlee (Michael) Kosanke of Shoreview; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and brothers and sisters, Rudolph (Janet) Beilke of Sauk Centre, Betty VanHavermaet of Sauk Centre, Robert (Lila) Beilke of Sauk Centre, Dorothy (Donald) Jacobs of Sauk Centre, Shirley Beilke of Alexandria, Beverly Huot of Sauk Centre, Bernard (Marie) Beilke of Sauk Centre, and Carol (Leroy) Dierkhising of Sauk Centre.

John was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna on December 23, 1957 and second wife, Lois on April 26, 2010; parents, Otto and Bertha Beilke; and brothers and sisters, infants Donald and Elizabeth Beilke, Gertrude Beilke, Jan Marth, Rosella Schmitz, and Arthur Beilke.

Serving as urn bearer will be Chad Hoeschen. Honorary bearers will be Natalie Prasch, Travis Meyer, and Jocelyn Meyer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Lakeview Ranch in Dassel.