Mark J. Beckman
Born: June 23rd, 1923
Died: November 8th, 2016
Obituary
Mark J. Beckman, 93, of Burlington, died at 12:45 PM Tuesday, November 8, 2016, at the Burlington Care Center in Burlington.
Born June 23, 1923, in Burlington, he was the son of Cletus and Margaret Ruff Beckman. On July 30, 1949, he married Eloise L. Russell at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Burlington and was blissfully married to her for 67 years. Mark was one of five (of seven) children in the family to celebrate over 60 years of marriage.
Mr. Beckman grew up in Dodgeville and graduated from Sperry High School in 1941. After graduation, he was employed by Murray Iron Works in Burlington. He received and applied his machinist trade there from 1941 until 1948.
He later was employed by Midwest Biscuit Co. beginning as salesman and then on into maintenance where he applied his mechanical ability keeping machines in top condition as well as building several machines that were used in the factory for a number of years. Later, he was employed by Linder Commercial Mechanical Contractors of New London for many years and later worked for 28 years for Chanen's Steel and Scrap Processing in office accounting and also was the yard supervisor. Mark retired in May of 2003 at 80 years of age. He thoroughly enjoyed working all of his life.
He was a member of SS. John & Paul Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Burlington Eagles Club, which he joined when he was 21 years old and was a member of the Drill Team for several years. Mark enjoyed music and dancing. When he was young, he enjoyed boating and having built a cabin on the Iowa side of the river, he spent many weekends there and on the Great Mississippi in his speed boat. He was also an excellent skier which was a sport he loved. He was also a talented baseball player and played several years for a number of teams, as well as one year for Dr. Russell's team.
Mr. Beckman is survived by his wife of 67 years, Eloise; two brothers, Donald (Mary Lee) Beckman of Burlington and Clifford (Diane) Beckman of Dodgeville; three sisters, Eileen Prier of Burlington, Betty McLaughlin of Mediapolis, and Mary Lou Peterson of Burlington; two sisters-in-law, Betty Beckman of Burlington and Maxine Warner of West Burlington; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert Beckman.
Open visitation will be from noon until 7:00 PM, Friday, November 11, 2016 at Prugh-Thielen Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 8:30 AM until 9:30 AM with a 9:30 AM Rosary Service to follow Saturday, November 12, 2016 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Mr. Beckman will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 12, 2016 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Rev. Father Gary Beckman as the Celebrant and Very Rev. Father Marty Goetz as the Con Celebrant. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the SS Mary and Patrick Catholic Church Parish Center, West Burlington following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.