Jay Alvero Bekius

Funeral services for Jay A. Bekius, age 45, of Milaca, will be held Monday, July 11, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the Christian Reformed Church in Pease with Rev. David Smit officiating. Visitation will be held Sunday, July 10, 2011 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church and also one hour prior to services. Burial will take place in the Pease Cemetery. Casketbearers will include Nicholas Knutson, Butch Vanderhoff, Kenny Bekius, Shawn Bekius, Mark Winkelman and Alex Wilson. Music will be provided by Dorothy Brink and Hank Breems. Jay Alvero Bekius was born June 28, 1966 in Princeton, MN to Alvero and Elaine Bekius (Kiel). From the time Jay was a little boy, everyone around him could see how caring he was. He grew up with many members of this community while attending Pease Community Christian School. Jay went on to Princeton High School where he excelled, being named all conference in both basketball and football, and graduated in 1985. While there, he learned to balance his love of sports with the responsibilities of the family farm. After graduation, Jay developed his love of farming even more by going to work for Leroy Koppendrayer. He worked briefly in the cities doing construction and various other jobs. After meeting Donna Knutson in 1994, the only woman that could keep up with him and keep him in line, Jay knew that he had found a love that would last his lifetime and someone to share his dreams with. Jay instantly became a father, friend, and role-model to Donna’s three children; Kelly, Nick, and Sam. Jay’s dream to own his own farm began in 1998 when they moved to Milaca. Within a few years and with the help of good hired hands and young people, they expanded the family farm from a small calf and heifer operation, to include a dairy housing several hundred head of cattle between the two farms. Recently, Jay decided Mille Lacs County wasn’t big enough to contain him any longer, so they sold the cows in April 2011 in order to expand internationally. They now custom feed heifers to be exported to Turkey and Mexico. Jay’s greatest achievement in his mind was undoubtedly when he became “Pa Jay” in 2006 and 2008 when his grand-children, Ian and Lyla, were born. They absolutely adored him. Pa Jay gave the best tractor rides, the best hugs, the best presents, the best tickles, the best cuddles and gave the best sticky treats when no one else was looking. To his family, his friends, his employees, and his neighbors; Jay was always one of the first people to call if you needed anything. His heart was full of love for everyone around him. He was always positive, hopeful, strong, and most of all a dreamer. He knew that anything worth doing was worth doing well, so he worked hard to give the best to those he loved. He would want us to celebrate his life, because he loved every day. We count it a blessing and an honor to have had him in our lives; as a son, a soul-mate, a brother, a father, a grandfather, an uncle, a friend, and a neighbor. He will be missed and always remembered in our hearts. Jay died July 7, 2011. He was preceded in death by his grand-parents; mother Elaine and mother-in-law Lucille Oeffling. He is survived by his soul-mate Donna Knutson; father Al Bekius and wife Barb; brother, Curt (Jackie) Bekius; sister, Laura (Bob) Bekius; sister, Karla (Buck) Garin, and brother Karl (Lisa) Bekius. Jay is also survived by children Kelly (Alex) Wilson and their 2 children Ian and Lyla; Nicholas (Dana) Knutson, Samantha Knutson; nieces and nephews, Megan Bekius, Shawn, Kenny, Bradley and Douglas Bekius, along with Gracyn and Gabrielle Bekius.