Gerald R. Beckmann, age 85, of Wells, MN, died Thursday, December 13, 2012, at Good Samaritan in Albert Lea, MN. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, December 15, 2012, at 11:00 AM at United Methodist Church in Wells, MN. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 14, 2012, from 4-7 PM at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Military honors will be accorded by the Wells Color Guard. Pastor Paul Woolverton will officiate and interment will be in Dunbar Cemetery in Minnesota Lake Township. See www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, MN, is in charge of arrangements.

Gerald was born January 27, 1927, in Walnut Lake Township, Faribault County, to Eli and Meta (Quade) Beckmann. He was united in marriage to Jean Bathke on February 25, 1948. Gerald was a member of the United States Army. He was also a member of the Wells American Legion and the United Methodist Church in Wells. He enjoyed fishing, giving hay rides, playing cards and spending time with his friends out to eat and at coffee. He especially enjoyed his grandchildren. He became quite the cook in his later years- baking apple crisp, making refrigerator pickles, and making horseradish with his friends. Gerald was also a collector of Minneapolis Moline Tractor memorabilia and was a fan of Minnesota sports, the Vikings and Twins.

Gerald is survived by his children, Ruth (Bob) Little of Mankato, Glen (Paulette) Beckmann of Ellendale, Duane (Nancy) Beckmann of Rochester, and Vicky (John) Grommersch of Bemidji; daughter-in-law Doris Beckmann of Austin; son-in-law Scott Jones of Ellsworth WI; 13 grandchildren, Stephanie Klenk of St. Paul, Landon (Sara Emich) Little of St. Peter, Michael Beckmann of Mankato, Mathew (Renae Thompson) Beckmann of Hartland, Michele (Mike DeMar) Beckmann of Albert Lea, Marlin (Laura Hager) Beckmann of New Richland, Jennifer (Brent) Picker of Rochester, Bridget (Ross) Moyer of Rochester, Adam Beckmann of Austin, Kellen Beckmann of Atlanta, GA, Tana Beckmann of Winona, Cody Jones of Redwing, and Wylie Jones of Ellsworth, WI; 13 great-grandchildren; 1 sister Marvel Kaiser of Wells; 1 brother Manny Beckmann of Waseca, and many nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jean, son David, daughter Nancy, 4 sisters and 6 brothers and son-in-law John Klenk.