Dewey R. Bekius

Funeral services for Dewey Bekius, age 87, of Milaca, will be held on Friday, June 21, 2013 at 11 AM at Lighthouse Fellowship (formerly Milaca Assembly of God) with Pastor Robben Gitzel and Pastor Tom Sahlstrom officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Music will be provided by Mona Petty. Casketbearers will include Brett Ruffenach, Shane Ruffenach, Cabot Bekius, Dustin Naumann, Mark Johnson and Mike Katke. Honorary casketbearers will include Roxanne Ruffenach, Stacy Ruffenach, Chamaine Bekius, Jackie Bekius, Whitney Naumann, Jackelyn Bekius and Jennifer Jones. Dewey Ryne Bekius was born on March 18, 1926, to John and Dora (Fylstra) Bekius, and grew up in the Milaca area. He married Mayble G. Rice in Milaca on October 30, 1945. They celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 1995. Dewey owned and operated a milk truck route for several years and also owned a school bus route for many years. In 1953, Dewey and Mayble purchased their first farm north of Milaca in the riverside area. He was proud of his farm and it showed in his buildings and cows. In 1985, they sold the farm and moved to Foreston and he started working at Koch Hardware in Milaca. Dewey enjoyed meeting new people and visiting with old friends. He always enjoyed mechanic work and fixed many tractors and lawn mowers over the years. Dewey was active in his church and served on several boards. He also served on the rural school board, several creamery boards, and was a 4H leader. Dewey passed away on Tuesday June 18, at the age of 87 years and 3 months, at the Elim Nursing Home in Milaca. He will be sadly missed by his family. Dewey was preceded in death by his beloved Mayble in 1996; parents , John and Dora Bekius; an infant sister Ethel; sister, Suzanne Minks and brother, Raymond. Dewey is survived by daughter, Ginny (Steve) Ruffenach; sons, Virgil (Linda) and Wayne (Pam); grandchildren, Brett (Stacy) Ruffenach, Shane (Roxanne) Ruffenach, Chamaine Bekius, Jackie Bekius, Whitney (Dustin) Naumann, Cabot (Jackelyn) Bekius; step-granddaughter Jennifer Jones; great-grandchildren, Isaac, Amanda, Jonah and Ella Ruffenach, Selena Bekius, and Sidney and Beatrix Naumann; brother, Eddie (Darlene); also survived by many nieces and nephews and many, many friends that he had made through his many years.