Wilfred Beste

Wilfred L. "Bill" Beste, age 75, of Sauk Centre died November 12, 2006 at Pine Haven Nursing Home in Melrose.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Erich Rutten officiating. Inurnment will follow at St. Paul's Cemetery in Sauk Centre at a later date.

Friends may call Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre.

Wilfred ("Bill" to some and "Will" to others) was born on December 24, 1931 to William and Lucy (Jung) Beste. He was born, raised, educated and married in Sauk Centre, MN where he lived his entire life, other than the two years he served his country in the Army (Ft. Leonard Wood, MO and South Korea). He was united in marriage on September 7, 1957 to Jan Felling (also of Sauk Centre) at St. Paul's Catholic Church. Bill was a very social man. In addition to family, friends and neighbors, he had a unique ability to make friends with just about anyone. His hobbies included golf, playing piano, gardening, cards, hunting, fishing and World War II history. Bill was a successful insurance salesman who worked for Prudential Insurance Co. from 1960 until his retirement in 1988. He was actively involved in his community and served on numerous boards for many years, including the Diocesan School Board, Sauk Centre Country Club and the City Water and Light. He also served as an usher and lector at St. Paul's Catholic Church.

Bill is survived by his wife, Jan Beste and their six children: Paula Cleave (Evanston, IL), Chad Beste (Wheaton, IL), Michele Swanson (Minnetrista, MN), Mary Beste Seng (St. Paul, MN), Karla Rahn (Ft. Wayne, IN) and Amy Roy (Boca Raton, FL); and sisters, Stella Carroll (Columbus, OH), Lois Johnson (Clouquet, MN), Pudge Kettler (Sauk Centre), and Vi June (Westminster, CO). In addition, Bill has been blessed with 12 grandchildren: Thomas, Sarah, Daniel, Sam, Alexander, John, Nicholas, Marissa, Haley, Anne, Anya and Jack.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister and brothers, Evelyn, Raymond, and Clarence Beste.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Alzheimer's Research or Pine Haven.