Bernard Alton "Bernie" Beckius, age 73, a Keystone, Nebraska resident, passed away on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Bernard was born August 20, 1947, in North Platte, Nebraska to Henry and Wilma Z. (Seckman) Beckius of Keystone, Nebraska.
He attended grade school in Keystone and graduated with the class of 1966 in Ogallala, Nebraska. He attended the Farm and Ranch short course at the University of Nebraska. He enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard on September 20, 1967 and was discharged on September 19, 1973.
On October 6, 1968 Bernard was united in marriage to Cheryl Russell at Ogallala United Methodist Church. The couple resided at Brule, Nebraska where he worked for Ballentine Brothers Inc., moving to rural Ogallala where he worked for Carson and Rod Smith Farms, and then moving into Ogallala where he worked for Dale’s Locker, purchasing Dale’s Locker in 1991 and operated it until 2003 at which time he moved back to the family ranch at Keystone, Nebraska and continued ranching until the time of his death.
He enjoyed working, dancing, and playing pitch which he was known to have shot the moon to win the game. He enjoyed good times with family and friends and was able to pass the time with anyone.
He was a member of Ogallala United Methodist Church. Past Worshipful Master of Ogallala Masonic Lodge #159 A.F. & A. M. and Past Worthy Patron of Ogallala Chapter # 142 Order of the Eastern Star. He was a member of Ogallala Moose Lodge # 1624 and past President of the Nebraska Meat Locker Association. He was a collector of Hesston (National Rodeo Finals) Belt Buckles.
Bernard is survived by his loving wife, Cheryl; his daughters and their Husbands: Christine and Will McKnight of Keystone, Nebraska and Carrie and Dan Knapp of Paxton, Nebraska; daughter- in-Law Teri (Jake) Elmshaeuser of Ogallala, Nebraska and daughters Cody (Jared) Hartman, Jaycee McKnight, Jessica Beckius and Grandson Cole Beckius and step-grandson Donald Wells; great-grandchildren Boyd and Madelyn Hartman; and step Great granddaughter Anna Keith; sisters Annette (Phil) Calkins of Grant, Nebraska and Carolyn Ballentine of Imperial, Nebraska; sisters-in-laws Gloria Beckius of Holyoke, Colorado and Dianne (Orv) Wiberg of Ord, Nebraska; special friend and nephew Galen Styskal of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and many other nieces & nephews, along with extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Justin Beckius; his parents Henry and Wilma Z. Beckius; his parent-in-laws Dale and Ruth Russell; his brother Don Beckius; brother-in-law Dayton Ballentine; niece Shelly Hatch; and son-in-law Robert Ware.
Visitation will be Monday, July 12, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. MST with family greeting friends and family from 4 to 6 p.m. MST at the Draucker Funeral Home Chapel, Ogallala, Nebraska.
Funeral Services will be Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. MST at the Untied Methodist Church in Ogallala, Nebraska with Rev. Chuck Rager officiating.
Memorials are suggested to Post 303 Paxton American Legion, Keystone Lemoyne Volunteer Fire Department, United Methodist Church of Ogallala or OES Star Dogs of Nebraska Inc.
Online condolences can be given at www.drauckerfh.com . by clicking on the share a memory button.
Services will be live streamed from www.methodistchurchogallala.com and posted online.
Draucker Funeral Home in Ogallala, Nebraska has been entrusted with arrangements.