Bernard Beck, 82, of Wolford, ND passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2011 at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby, ND.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cando, ND. Visitation will be held at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home of Cando, on Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church for one hour prior to the funeral mass.

Bernard was born January 8, 1929 to Charles and Ruth (Wagenman) Beck in Cando, North Dakota.  He was raised in Union and Wolford Townships and attended country school in Union Township.  He graduated from Wolford High School.  In 1948 he graduated from North Dakota State School of Science as an electrician.  Bernard was united in marriage to Marjorie Hillestad in Knox, ND on June 20, 1949.  They lived on the Beck farm near Wolford, and then moved to Rugby, ND where Bernard worked for an electrical construction company for two years.  They then moved to St. Paul, MN where he worked at a meat packing plant until 1952.  They returned to Wolford to farm with Bernard’s father and in 1954 moved into the Beck family home.  In addition to farming, Bernard worked in the electrical trade, was a school bus driver, a semi-truck owner/operator and a miller at a pasta facility.  He retired in 1998.

Bernard found joy in his ten children, 22 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.  They were faithful members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Knox, ND and then Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cando, ND.  After Mass and Sunday dinner it was common for him to load the car with his wife and children and depart with no destination in mind. Some of his favorite times were spent around the campfire teasing and laughing with his family.  For the past 17 years the Annual Beck Lefse-fest was a highlight.  He especially enjoyed when his entire family would gather at the family home.  In addition to following his children’s and grandchildren's school activities, his hobbies included electric trains, working on electric motors and reading. 

In addition to his wife Marjorie, he is survived by his children and grandchildren: daughter Deborah McLean of Devils Lake, ND, DeeDra, Darrick and DeLana;  son David (Cyndy) of Knox, Fara and Keith; son Doyle of Wolford; daughter Dianna (Jim) Skold of Leeds, ND, Meagan and Jessica; son Dorian of Reynolds, ND, Kristi, Rachel, Steven and Chelsey; daughter Denise (Richard) Pieterick of West Fargo, ND, Channa and Kellie; son Doug (Gina) of Cando, Jase, McKenzie and Logan; daughter Danielle (John) Golden of Warren, MN, Tyler; son Donn (Lori) of Cando, Cameron, Caleb and Caitlin; and son Dale (Lorinda) of Rolette, ND, Mitchell and Connor; a sister: Sharon Kerr of Harris, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ruth Beck; sister, Barbara Schaan; mother and father-in-law, Olivia and Harry Hillestad; and brothers-in-law, Clemens Schaan and Hedley Kerr.