Sylvester John "Vet" Beckman was born April 19, 1928, at Elgin on the farm of his parents, to Louis H. and Anna E. (Schiltmeyer) Beckman. He was baptized at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Raeville where he made his First Communion and was confirmed. He attended St. John Berchman's School in Raeville. He enlisted in the United States Army on March 31, 1955, serving until his honorable discharge on February 25, 1957. After returning from his military service, Vet farmed the home place near Elgin, later buying the farm. He took up square dancing, where he met the love of his life, Doris. Vet married Doris (Roost) Engel December 28, 1985, at Hope Lutheran Church in South Sioux City. The couple lived in South Sioux City until 1990, when they a built a summer home in Norfolk. They loved traveling to many states and countries from 1986 to 1998 including the Hawaiian Islands, Canada, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Islands, Cancun, Copper Canyon, and Mexico. The couple spent many winters in Mission, Texas before making it their permanent home for 11 years. In 2007, they moved to Laurel. Vet loved his family, grandkids, friends, and neighbors. He enjoyed farming and helping his nephews, Dave and John, continue their dad's farming operation. Learning about the new cars, pickups, and John Deere machinery was always of interest. The couple spent much time square dancing, listening to polka music, and attending music jams.

Vet is survived by his wife, Doris; step-son, Richard (Bev) Engel of Homer; seven step-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; a brother, Leonard (Ann) Beckman of Elgin; sisters, Mary Ann (Rudy) Starman of Petersburg and Helen Preusser of Petersburg; sister-in-law, Mary Rose (Beckman) Schainost of Norfolk; brother-in-law, Norbert (Jan) Starman of Elgin; in-laws, Yvonne (Charles) Emmons of Hubbard, Leona Porter of South Sioux City, Clifford (Nina) Roost of Dakota City, Ray Severson of Emerson; many nieces and nephews.

Vet was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Norbert Beckman; a sister, Clara M. Starman; sisters-in-law, Theresa Severson and Joyce Rechkammer; brothers-in-law, Jim Preusser, Louis Roost, James Roost, and Dewayne Roost; step-son, Dan Engel.

Memorials

May be directed to the family for a later designation