Fred Beets, 90, of Spearfish, SD, died Sunday, July 16, 2006 at Spearfish Regional Hospital Visitation will be Thursday, July 20, 2006 from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Funeral Services will be held Friday, July 21, 2006 at 10 a.m. at the United Church of Christ in Spearfish, with Reverend Peg Grzelkowski officiating, burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish. In Lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the United Church of Christ in Spearfish.

Fred Beets was born on October 29, 1915 to Fred and Clara Beets of Hillsdale, Kansas. He was one of 11 children. Fred graduated from Spring Hill High School in 1933 and attended Kansas University for one year before going to work for an airline in Kansas City. In 1939, he moved to California and worked for Douglas Aircraft until 1945. Fred met Gean Ryan of Spearfish, S.D. and the two were later married in Long Beach, Calif. The couple returned to Spearfish to live and he went into ranching and farming with his father-in-law, living the life and doing the work he loved for many years.

Fred will be remembered for his great love of family. His family will be celebrating his life in August at a family gathering.

Fred is survived by his wife of 61 years, Gean Beets of Spearfish, two daughters; Janice Ehrlicher and husband Bruce of Santa Rosa, Calif. and Sheri Zapf and husband Laurie of Spokane, WA, two sons; Bill Beets of Denver, Colo., and Neil Beets and wife Mary who continue to live and work on the ranch in Spearfish. Eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren complete his family.

Fred was preceded in death by his 10 brothers and sisters. Arrangements have been place in the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel of Spearfish.