Donald J. Beckendorf (88) and Frances C. Beckendorf (87)

With heavy hearts but thankfulness for peace, the Beckendorf family shares the passing of Donald and Frances Beckendorf, formerly of Blue Earth. Donald, age 88, passed away on July 31, 2024, and Frances, age 87, passed away on August 6, 2024. Both died at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee, MN.

Donald John Beckendorf was born on October 9, 1935, on the family farm near Ceylon, MN to Gustav and Dorothy (Laue) Beckendorf. His mom was a homemaker while his dad ground feed for farmers and worked for the grain elevator. Don was baptized and confirmed in Ceylon and grew up living the small-town life he treasured with his sister and twin brothers. He attended school in Ceylon, graduating from Ceylon High School in 1953. After high school, Don served in the Air Force from February 1954 to October 1957, stationed primarily in Anchorage, AK. Frances Carolyn Justice Beckendorf was born on August 20, 1936, at the family home in Marion, NC to Franklin and Carolyn Justice. Her dad was a Baptist minister who worked in the cotton mills while her mom was a homemaker who also worked in the mills.

Frances grew up in the beautiful mountains of NC with her parents and three sisters, with a focus on church, school, and family. She attended school in Marion, graduating from Marion High School in 1954. After high school, Frances attended nurses’ training at NC Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC where she attained the prestigious Santa Filomena award for excellence in nursing and her R.N. degree.

That’s when their 67-year love story began. Don and Fran met in Winston-Salem on a blind date set up by Air Force buddies and nursing school friends and were married in July 1957. They moved to Minnesota in October of that year when Don’s dad passed away suddenly. Fran worked at Fairmont Community Hospital while Don worked at the Ceylon Elevator, and they were blessed with their first son, Frank. Next, they moved to Mankato where Don began college at Mankato State University and Fran worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Don earned his B.S. in Industrial Arts (and later his M.S.) beginning his teaching career in Clara City, MN where they added Kim and Steve to their growing family.

Don and Fran moved to Blue Earth in 1967 where they built their home and family until late 2023 when they moved to The Meadows in Savage. Fran focused her love and care on her family until returning to work in 1970 and sharing that love and care with countless patients at United Hospital and St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center for nearly 40 years. Upon her retirement, she continued her healing arts as a Certified Massage Therapist, Red Cross nurse, and parish nurse. She became a master gardener and volunteered her time at church, United Hospital, and wherever else help was needed. She was a great reader and lover of music and excelled as a baker and cook with many legendary “Fran’s Recipes.”

Don taught Industrial Arts to legions of students at Blue Earth High School over a 33-year career. Many Blue Earth homes include projects created by his students. He was a fine craftsman working in many mediums from plastics to metals, but excelling at woodworking where he built or restored many pieces of furniture and their home in Blue Earth. He was an avid sports fan supporting BEHS teams and the Minnesota Twins, Gophers, and Vikings. Don was a 40-year member of the American Legion and a 55-year member of the Blue Earth Lion’s Club, achieving the national Melvin Jones Fellowship Award – the highest award in Lionism. As a Lion, he was a strong supporter of the annual Lion’s Club Athletic Banquet but was most passionate about his work with the Lions Eye Bank, collecting thousands of pairs of glasses for those in need.

Together, Don and Fran were lifelong members of St. Paul Lutheran Church where Don served as an usher and elder and Fran volunteered at Ladies’ Aid and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. They were green gardeners before it was a thing – Fran with her flowers and Don with his vegetables. Throughout their lives, they were avid collectors of vintage treasures. They enjoyed traveling together after their retirements and exploring new places. Most of all, they treasured their time with family.

Left to cherish their memories are their son Frank (Lisa) Beckendorf of Maple Grove, MN; daughter Kim Beckendorf of Minneapolis, MN; son Steve (Denise) Beckendorf of Ventura, CA; grandchildren Jackson Beckendorf, Ruby Beckendorf, and Molly (David) Hammelman and daughter Sophia; Don’s brothers Ken (Gala) Beckendorf and Den (Ruth Ann) Beckendorf; Frances’ sisters Nona Rhinehardt and Judy (Gary) Webb; several cousins, treasured nieces and nephews, and dear neighbors and friends.

They were preceded in death by their parents, an infant son Jeffrey Scott, Don’s sister Ardis and brother-in-law Bill Koenecke, brother-in-law Ken Rhinehardt, and Fran’s sister Mary and brother-inlaw Charles Owensby.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 23, 2024, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Blue Earth. There will be a visitation prior to the service at 10:00 AM, followed by a reception of food, beverage, and remembrance in the church basement. A private burial will be held later that day at Lake Belt Cemetery in Ceylon, MN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer's Association, American Heart Association, or Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation. Condolences can be sent to The Beckendorf Family at 5200 Beard Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55410