- Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation - https://www.ballardsunderfuneral.com -

Richard “Rich” Beckfeld

Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On July 12, 2021 @ 4:34 pm In 2021,Obituaries | 5 Comments

Web Beckfeld

*** PLEASE NOTE: The location of Rich’s service has changed.

Richard “Rich” Beckfeld, age 95 of Loretto (formerly of New Hope) passed away Friday, July 9, 2021. A Liturgy of the Word will be held Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 11AM with a visitation beginning at 9:30AM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (833 S. Marschall Rd.) in Shakopee. Rich’s grandchildren will act as pallbearers. Family and friends who can’t attend in-person are invited to livestream the services at the following link: Rich Beckfeld Funeral Service (Meeting ID: 839 3964 7660 / Passcode: 890001).

Richard will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan with military honors provided by the Jordan Vets Honor Guard.

On February 27, 1926 in Jordan, MN, Richard Joseph Beckfeld was born to parents William and Charlotte (Friedel) Beckfeld. He was the second of four children. Growing up, Rich attended school and church at St. John’s the Baptist.

At the age of seventeen, Rich enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed in Hawaii as a medic until his honorable discharge. Upon returning to Minnesota, Rich furthered his education at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Around this time, Rich’s friend, Dick Stang, introduced Rich to a young woman named Louise Haugsjaa from North Dakota. They immediately hit it off!

On June 12, 1950, in Minneapolis, Rich and Louise were united in marriage. They were blessed with a loving famnily and 69 years together. The family settled in New Hope where Rich started an auto repair shop, B&R Transmission, with his friend Bill. He was proud to pass the family business along to his son after retiring.

Wanting to better the New Hope community, Rich was a founding member of the New Hope Athletic Association which focused on providing all children with the opportunity to play different sports. Rich was also a lifelong member of the New Hope Lions club.

When he wasn’t working or volunteering, Rich spent his time with family. He was a loving husband, father, and grandpa. Rich’s definition of family was expansive—the Beckfeld home was a welcoming place for anyone needing love and support. Rich was a father figure to many and cultivated lifelong connections this way.

When the children were young, Rich attended countless sports events often helping train the teams as well. In later years, he cheered on his grandchildren and great-grandchildren at school activities. Rich and Louise adored their grandchildren!

Along with Louise, Rich enjoyed playing cards with friends, bowling, and traveling. They made numerous trips to Germany and Hawaii. Rich also enjoyed the outdoors especially golfing, fishing and deer hunting at the family cabin. Rich had a tremendous will to live and to live well.

Rich is loved and missed by his children, Rick (Tina) Beckfeld, Rob (Gail) Beckfeld, Laurie (Ed) Armit, Ann (Paul) Smothers; grandchildren, Carly (Pat) O’Leary, Brett (Lauren) Beckfeld, Tanya (Jesse) Dolan, Cassie Beckfeld, Jason Breezee, Kara (Scot) Jandro, Andrew (Nikki) Armit, Ben (Anea) Smothers, Robbie (Megan) Smothers, Charlie (Maria) Smothers; 13 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Beckfeld; other loving relatives and friends.

Rich is reunited in Heaven with his beloved wife, Louise Beckfeld; parents; siblings, Shirley (Fred) Hart, Bill Beckfeld, and Ray Beckfeld.

Offer Condolence for the family of Richard “Rich” Beckfeld

Print Obituary & Condolences Print Obituary & Condolences

Condolences for the family of “Richard “Rich” Beckfeld”

Condolence from New Hope Lions Club on July 13th, 2021 12:55 pm

Our deepest sympathies to the family of Lion Rich Beckfeld. The New Hope Lions will miss Lion Rich deeply and we honor him by thanking him for his many years (58) of service with the club. He is remembered as a very valued Lion and his compassion towards all. We are saddened by his passing but cherish the moments/times we were able to work beside him. The New Hope Lions would not be what it is today without Lion Rich.

ROAR ON LION RICH! ~New Hope Lions Club

Condolence from Larry Ford on July 13th, 2021 3:34 pm

God bless you Rich.

Rich introduced me to the New Hope Football program in 1969. He was a good friend going forward-what a great guy. He will be missed. Fly on Rich.

Condolence from Paul Hokr on July 14th, 2021 8:27 am

So sorry for your loss. Rich was one of the first Lions to greet me when I joined 38 years ago. I was only 28 but he always treated me as an equal and made me feel welcome from day one. We shared many projects and good times over the years and he will be missed.

Condolence from Rene Dolan on July 15th, 2021 5:33 pm

We have been blessed in so many way when our son Jesse met and married Tanya Beckfeld. We are grateful to be a part of the Beckfeld family in this way and too, feel the loss of Rich.
Our heart felt condolences to each and every member of Rich’s family.

Condolence from The Haugsjaa Family on July 19th, 2021 8:27 am

With deepest sympathy we send our condolences to our cousins and their families for the loss of our wonderful uncle Rich Beckfeld. We remember Rich for the sparkle in his eyes as he showed us his genuine interest in our lives and exhibited the fun side of life with countless stories of his experiences – often involving hunting and fishing. He is particularly famous in our family for his telling of jokes requiring tongue twisting precise narratives we worked hard to emulate. In our travels through Minnesota, we were always graciously welcomed in the Beckfeld home by Rich, Louise and our cousins with the kind of warmth that remains a fixture today in the family, as a legacy of Rich and Louise.

The families of Paul and Nancy Haugsjaa, Solveig and Ike Rhodes, Karen and Robert Uhler, and Anson and Cindy Haugsjaa

Article printed from Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation: https://www.ballardsunderfuneral.com

URL to article: https://www.ballardsunderfuneral.com/rich-beckfeld/

Copyright © 2015 Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation. All rights reserved.