Fred F . Beer

Mass of Christian Burial for Fred F. Beer, 80, of Lemmon was held February 15, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lemmon with Fr. Dan Juelfs officiating. Burial was at Greenhill Cemetery in Lemmon. Military honors were afforded by the Smith-Lyman American Legion Post #279 of Thunderhawk.

Fred passed away February 9, 2021, at the Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck, ND with his family by his side.

Fred Francis Beer was born on June 22, 1940 in Dupree to Fred and Mary (Boeding) Beer. He joined his siblings, Louise, LeRoy (“Buddy”), Addie, John, Alice, and Mary on the family farmstead near Isabel. A few years later another 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 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, 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 as a radio operator with security clearance.

In 1966, Fred took a job as 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 27, 1968. Fred was transferred to Farm Island Recreation area in Pierre, where he was the park manager for the next ten years. While in Pierre, their three children, Mike, Ryan and Jeanna, were born.

Fred and Karen moved to Keldron in 1978 and took over the Keldron Store. For the next 26 years they provided a family type atmosphere at the store and were known for their bacon, lunch meat, and cheese. He was also postmaster at the Keldron Post Office.

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 fulltime. He and Karen moved to their place northeast of Lemmon, where he raised 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 (ND) Soil District.

Fred was an avid supporter of the Lemmon Cowboys and Cowgirls and loved watching his kids and grandkids participate in numerous events. Fred and Karen were selected as the Lemmon Sports Boosters Fans of the Year in 2010.

God, family and country were all very important to Fred. He was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, served as the Commander of the VFW in Lemmon and Commander of Legion Post #279 in Thunder Hawk. He received the District Legionnaire of the Year award in 2005.

Fred was a member of the Sports Boosters, Lemmon Fire Department, and Nursing Home Board. He was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where he served on the church council, and a Knights of Columbus member.

He will be remembered for his kind heart, quick wit and supportive presence.

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

Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home of Lemmon was in charge of arrangements.