General Information
Full Name: Pat L. Beckius
Date of Birth: January 8, 1951
Date of Death: November 10, 2013
Pat Beckius
At the young age of 62, Patricia Lynn Beckius passed away peacefully, the late evening of Sunday, November 10, 2013, at her home in Jordan, MN. Family will greet guests on Thursday, November 14, from 4-8 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 104 West First Street, Jordan and one hour prior to the mass at church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, November 15 at 11 am, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 210 North Broadway, Jordan. Father Timothy Yanta will preside. Pat will be laid to rest at Spirit Hill Cemetery.
On January 8, 1951 in Minneapolis, MN, Pat was born to parents Stanley and Audrey (Campbell) Nelson. The oldest of six children, Pat throughout the years was the caretaker of her siblings when her mom was not around. Her childhood years were spent in Lexington and later in Circle Pines. At a young age, music became a major foundation in her life. Pat loved participating in the high school musicals. She graduated from Centennial High School in Circle Pines, MN in 1968.
For one year, Pat attended Anoka Ramsey Jr. College and then graduated with a degree in Education from Mankato State College, in 1973. She found a home with the New Prague School District 721 for 39 years. Pat taught first graders and later third and fourth graders. She was instrumental in helping struggling readers, added literature circles to her repertoire and delighted students with her guitar music. Pat enriched the lives of her students and the colleagues fortunate enough to have worked with her.
In 1970, Pat met a young man from Jordan, named Jerry Beckius. Their love grew for one another and on July 3, 1973 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan, MN, Pat and Jerry exchanged wedding vows. They were blessed with three sons, Andy, Mike and John. As a family, they enjoyed many family camping trips, from exploring just about every state park in Minnesota, to the mountains out west and in and around the Midwest.
Family was most precious in Pat’s life. At the same time, she was their rock and foundation. Pat loved attending her sons’ school and athletic events and later becoming a nana!! Her grandchildren could sit for hours with Nana in her big chair reading books. Pat had this endless toy closet and a supply of chocolate milk. She loved each and every one of her family unconditionally.
An active, joyful member of the St. John’s Saturday guitar mass choir, for well over 20 years, Pat’s alto harmonies and calming spirit enriched their music. She spent countless hours quilting, making baskets, tending to her flowers in the garden and cheering on the Minnesota Twins, especially during spring training in Florida. Pat was always in search of that perfect book for her classroom and relished getting together with the teachers.
A woman of strong faith in God, Pat was always praying, especially for her grandchildren. She was compassionate, forgiving, a great listener and constantly offered hugs. Pat saw the good in people and put their needs first before her own, even during her illness.
Deeply missed and remembered always by those who loved Pat, husband of 40 years, Jerry; sons, Andy (Jaye) Beckius of New Prague, Mike (Elena) Beckius of Jordan, John (Ally) Beckius of Kingwood, Texas; grandchildren, Michael, August, Aubrey, Joseph and Charles; siblings, Janelle Nelson of Andover, Michael (Annette) Nelson of Grayson, GA, Susan (Mike) Kuchinski of Blaine, Cindy Nelson-Quesada of White Bear Lake, David Nelson of Duluth, GA; nieces, nephews, relatives and devoted friends.
Pat is preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Audrey and Godfather, Clinton Campbell.
Urn bearers for Pat will be her sons, Andy, Mike and John.
The Beckius family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Jordan Chapel. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
Visitation
When: Thursday, November 14, 2013, 4 till 8 PM
Location: Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 104 First St. W.
Jordan, MN 55352
There also will be visitation at the church 1 hr prior to services.
Service Information
When: Friday, November 15, 2013, 11:00 AM
Location: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Address: 313 East Second St.
Jordan, MN 55352
Interment
Spirit Hill Cemetery, Jordan, MN
