Beckman, Jerry Lee Jerry was born the 25th of August, 1948 to Alice Mary Johnson and Conrad Nels Beckman in Minneapolis, MN. After graduating Minneapolis North High School in 1966, Jerry attended the University of Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian History in 1971. However, he spent many of his college days playing bridge at Coffman Memorial Student Union. Jerry continued his bridge playing, advancing to the Master class level, even playing in a national tournament in Chicago. Jerry realized early on that he didn't enjoy a desk job as much as working with his body. He was employed at Bachman Floral & Landscaping for several years. Jerry purchased a house and acreage on Clam Falls Drive East of Frederic, Wisconsin in 1980 as a weekend retreat. He moved there in 1995, seeing that he preferred rural life to urban. While health issues led to an early retirement, Jerry loved reading books, listening to music, flirting with the ladies and puttering in his shop. He invested much of his time visiting public libraries in Frederic and Luck several times a week where he held forth on most any topic. Jerry was a member of the Old Farts, or Cauliflower Club, a group of older men who met at the Frederic Library, until they were asked to leave for being too boisterous. Jerry contributed immeasurably to the informal culture of Polk County with his knowledge and wit. May we take his advice and eschew obfuscation! Jerry died on September 13, 2021 at the Grantsburg, WI nursing home at the age of 73. He was preceded in death by his parents, Conrad and Alice Beckman, brother Vernon Beckman and dear friend, Jan Schroeder. He is survived by sister Adeline (Anderson) Nies, St. Cloud MN, sister-in-law Elaine Beckman, Cambridge, MN, 4 nieces and a nephew, and several grandnieces and grandnephews. Jerry donated his body to the University of Minnesota School of Medicine.