Fred Francis Beer

Fred Francis Beer was born on June 22, 1940 in Dupree, SD to Fred and Mary (Boeding) Beer.  He joined his siblings: Louise, LeRoy “Buddy”, Addie, John, Alice, and Mary on the family farmstead near Isabel, SD.  A few years later a younger brother, Bernie, joined the family and became Fred’s “partner in crime” as many stories have been shared about the shenanigans that these two pulled.  Fred attended Van Dusen Country School through 8th grade, Isabel High School for three years and graduated from Dupree High School in 1958.

     As a young man Fred did jobs such as building dams and carpentry work.  These skills served him well throughout his life as he did many projects around the house and created keepsakes for his family such as cedar chests, wedding decorations, and toy barns.  Following high school, Fred attended college at Northern State University, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Math and Physical Science. After graduating he took a job mapping for NASA at St. Louis. Later he became a teacher at Bloom School, which was a rural school in the Gopher/Glad Valley area.  He taught for a year and then was drafted in 1963.  He served in a combat zone in Vietnam for 13 ½ months where he was a radio operator with security clearance.

     In 1966, Fred took a job as the District Park Ranger at Shadehill, where he worked for three years.  At this time he met the love of his life, Karen Ginther, and they were united in marriage on April 27th, 1968.  Fred was transferred to Farm Island Recreation area in Pierre where Fred was the Park Manager for the next ten years.  While in Pierre, their three children were born: Mike, Ryan and Jeanna.

     Fred and Karen moved to Keldron in 1978 and took over the Keldron Store.  For the next twenty-six years they provided a family type atmosphere at the store and were known for their bacon, lunch meat, and cheese. Fred always enjoyed young kids and provided many gummy worms and suckers to the locals.  He was also postmaster at the Keldron Post Office during this time.

     For years, Fred was involved in the ranching life and upon his retirement in 2004 was finally able to obtain his dream of farming and ranching full-time.  He and Karen moved to their place northeast of Lemmon where he enjoyed raising Black Angus cattle alongside his wife and family.   Fred and Karen were honored to be chosen as the 2015 Boss Cowman Honorees and in 2017 they were awarded the Conservation Achievement Award by the Adams County Soil District.

     Fred was always an avid supporter of the Lemmon Cowboys and Cowgirls and loved watching his kids and grandkids participate in numerous events.  He was present at almost every activity that they were in and was very proud of them.  The family all knows that he will still be harassing the refs but now from the best seat in the house.  Fred and Karen were selected as the Lemmon Sports Booster’s Fans of the Year in 2010.

     God, family and country were all very important to Fred and he was involved in many organizations to serve these areas.  Fred was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America.  He also has served as the Commander of the VFW in Lemmon, the Commander of the Legion Post #279 in Thunder Hawk and received the District    Legionnaire of the Year in 2005.   Throughout the years Fred has also been a member of the Sports Boosters, Lemmon Fire Department, and Nursing Home Board.  He was an active member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lemmon and has been a Knights of Columbus member, as well as serving on the church council.

     Fred passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at the Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck, ND with his family by his side. He will forever be remembered for his kind heart, quick wit and supportive presence.

     He is survived by his wife, Karen Beer, Lemmon, SD;  two sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Danni Beer, Keldron, SD, and Ryan and Jackie Beer, Lemmon, SD; one daughter and son-in-law, Jeanna and Ryan Kohn, Lemmon, SD; “12 pack” of grandchildren, Bobbi Jo (Sheldon) Froelich, Bo (Serena Frederick) Beer, Bailie (Carter) Honeyman, Blaze Beer, Shelby, Brady, Quirt, Anna and Cord Beer, Tayte, Allie and Jordyn Kohn; one great grandchild, Luka John Froelich; seven sisters-in-law, Marge Beer, Watertown, SD, Maureen Beer, Timber Lake, SD, Karen Beer, Pierre, SD, Donna Hulm, Pipestone, MN, Meg (David) Schell, Meadow, SD, Beth (Fred) Haberkern, Los Osos, CA and Rhonda Ginther, Ray, ND; one brother-in-law, Mike (Siblut) Ginther, Lemmon, SD; and numerous nieces, nephews, friends and family.

     Fred was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Louise Beer, Alice (Jim) Hulm and Mary (Bill) Alley; four brothers, LeRoy, John, Bernie and Addie; brother-in-law, Jim Ginther; and sister-in-law, Kay Ginther.

Mass of Christian Burial for Fred was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 15, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lemmon, SD.  Fr. Dan Juelfs officiated with burial in the Greenhill Cemetery at Lemmon, SD.  Military Honors were afforded by the Smith-Lyman American Legion Post #279 of Thunderhawk, SD.

     The Rosary Service and Mass was livestreamed through Fred’s obituary on the website www.ev-ansonjensenfuneralhome.com.