Donald Theodore Beckmann died Saturday, October 17, 2020 at his daughter Carrie’s home in Crystal, MN. Funeral service will be held Friday October 23, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with Pastor Mary Iverson officiating.  Public visitation will be held Thursday October 22, 2020 at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells from 4:00-7:00 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery.  Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.  To leave online condolences, please visit brussheitner.com.  In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Wells Historical Society or the Wells Food Shelf.

Donald Theodore was born September 10, 1931, on the family farm outside of Wells, MN to Theodore and Evelyn (Allis) Beckmann. He attended country school through the 8th grade and graduated from Wells High School in 1949.  He contracted Polio the fall before graduation and was hospitalized at Sister Kenny.  Don married Bonnie White on June 26, 1955, in Wells, MN.  Together they built their forever home in 1964.  Don wanted to fix equipment so he took classes to aid him in engine repair.  He fixed farm equipment, snowmobiles, snowblowers, and any small engine.  Don later went on to sell and repair washers and dryers.  He added televisions sales and service to his business and hired a young man named John Vee, who later became his partner.   Don’s family always came first.  He vacationed and took trips North with them annually.  Visits to Disney Land, Disney World, Washington D.C. and numerous visits to the in-law’s on Lake Buchanan.  Don was known for his patience and taught his kids and nieces to waterski.  Don helped to build the gun club in Wells and was a lifetime member.  He was part of a club that shot trap weekly.  Don enjoyed hunting geese, pheasants, and deer.  He also served for 35 years as a Lion’s Club member and was active in the Jaycees.  Don was a strong believer of the Red Cross and donated over 12 gallons in his lifetime.  He was a lifetime member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and served as a council member.

Don is survived by his wife Bonnie Beckmann of Wells, MN; children: Donald Beckmann Jr. of Mankato, MN, Sharie Ylvisaker of Punta Gorda, FL and Carrie Beckmann (husband Jim Doten) of Crystal, MN; grandsons: Eric (Karen) Beckmann, Jaret Beckmann (special friend Lindsay Persen); granddaughter: Ona Ylvisaker; great-grandchildren: Damon, Axel, Milo, and Brynnly; sister, Carol (Cecil) Simonson and their son Barry.

Don is preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law and nieces.