LeRoy Iver Beckman, born February 15, 1935, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2024, at Osceola Medical Center in Osceola, WI, with his daughters by his side.

LeRoy was born in Rush City, MN to Iver and Mathilda (“Tillie”) Beckman and affectionately nicknamed Sonny by his two older sisters.

LeRoy attended Rush City Public Schools and graduated in 1953. While in Rush City, LeRoy met Marilyn Johnson. They married on May 7, 1955, in Grantsburg, WI. The couple resided in Rush City prior to moving to St. Paul, MN where they welcomed three daughters. In 1972 they moved to Center City, MN on Little Lake where they enjoyed raising their girls on the small hobby farm.

LeRoy entered the Airforce National Guard in 1953 prior to attending St. Paul Vocational School where he earned his drafting degree. LeRoy began his career as an electronic draftsman with both Remington Rand Univac and MAICO Electronics. He was later employed at Control Data Corp. as a Project Engineer / Advanced Research in their Design Lab, followed by ETA Systems, Interconnect P.C. / Technology Concepts, both in St. Paul, MN. LeRoy and Marilyn moved to Chippewa Falls, WI in 1989 where he worked at Cray Research, Inc. as a Sr. R&D Engineer /P.C.B Fabrication until his full retirement in 2000. While at Control Data, LeRoy was a member of the Trap Shooting League and won numerous awards, including both the 25 and 50 consecutive shot patches.

LeRoy was an avid hunter and fisherman, hunting many hours on his 40 acres near Hinkley, MN, as well fishing and camping in Canada and Wyoming with his brother-in-law Ardell Johnson.

During their 48 year marriage, LeRoy and Marilyn were members and volunteered their time at both Maplewood Covenant Church and Kost Evangelical Free Church as Sunday School teachers and Youth Group Leaders. LeRoy served as Church Chairman at Kost and was a member of the String Band, playing his guitar. The family enjoyed camping at Camper’s Paradise in Nevis, MN with family friends for over two decades each summer as well as a Scandinavian tour in 1981, taking the family to Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. He and Marilyn returned to Sweden years later, along with other destinations, including their annual trip to Branson, MO, stopping at every Cracker Barrel Restaurant along the way.

After Marilyn’s death in 2003, LeRoy moved to Lindstrom, MN and met Carolee Johnson through dear friends. He and Carolee were married for 15 years, during which they continued the annual Branson, MO trips, and the stops at Cracker Barrel. They attended Lakes Free Church, enjoying the ABF group, as well as their “Swedish Club” get-togethers with good friends. LeRoy and Carolee also volunteered at the Karl Oskar House in Lindstrom, MN where they led tours for both elementary schools and visiting Swedish groups.

For LeRoy, being a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather were his most joyous blessings. Skating on Little Lake with his girls, ice fishing, sledding, caring for the horses, swimming, camping, etc. Pulling magical coins from his grandkids’ ears, reading their favorite books, sharing his love of the outdoors, “grandpa’s woods,” boating on Lake Wissota, teaching them about hunting, fishing, trap shooting; attending hockey and baseball games, recitals, school plays, graduations – it all brought him immense joy.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, Iver and Mathilda Beckman, sisters Edna (George) Clear and Mary Lou Beckman; wife Marilyn Beckman, brother-in-law Ardell Johnson, sister-in-law Virginia Johnson, and wife, Carolee Beckman.

LeRoy is survived by his three daughters, JoLynn (Jon) Ledin, Jill (Tom) Ray, Jinna (Bob) Snyder; grandchildren: Eric (Meghan) Ledin, Alyssa (Brad) Dockter, Alex Ledin, Austin Ledin; Paul Snyder, Laura (Eric) Hammer, Owen (Emily) Snyder, Noah (Cierra) Snyder, Joseph (Tara) Snyder, Mary Snyder; Ben (Alyssa) Ray, Dane (Kensey) Ray, Ivy Ray; 12 great-grandchildren; nephews Michael (Jodi) Johnson, Kurt Johnson and great-niece Shayla Johnson; LeRoy's extended Johnson family through his marriage to Carolee, who graciously and lovingly welcomed him into their family; and many wonderful friends.

The family would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to September Cottage Eldercare in Scandia, MN, where LeRoy resided the last 4 years. At “the Cottage” dad received tender care in a loving family home and we are so grateful that he had such a compassionate group of devoted caregivers.

Last Update: Nov 22, 2024 2:18 pm CST