Verneice Elsie Beckel

Verneice Elsie Beckel, age 96, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin. Verneice Elsie Schoemaker was born on August 31, 1927, in Scotia, Nebraska to Walter and Elsie (Hermsmeyer) Schoemaker. She graduated from Mankato High School in 1945 and went on to attend Mankato Teachers College. After graduating high school, she spent a year in Washington, D.C. working for the U.S. Marine Corps. On November 25, 1948, Verneice married John Beckel at Immaculate Conception in Rural Madison Lake, Minnesota. After they were married, they lived in Ames, IA, St. Peter, MN, Austin, MN, Slayton, MN, and Pipestone, MN before returning to Austin in 1968. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years before beginning her career working at Mower County Extension Service from 1972-1990. Verneice enjoyed traveling. She was able to visit all 50 states and several foreign countries. She was an active member of many organizations which included: Izaak Walton League, St. Edward’s Church, Business and Professional Women, Extension Study Group, Habitat for Humanity, Activity Committee at The Village Cooperative, the Welcoming Committee at the Cedars, and Friends of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Verneice loved spending time with her family and visiting her grandchildren. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Verneice is survived by her children Donald (Ann) Beckel of The Colony, Texas, Larry (Jean Brandes) Beckel of Fridley, Minnesota, and Karen (Bruce) Wagner of Stewartville, Minnesota; daughter-in-law, Jean Beckel of Arvada, Colorado; grandchildren, Michael Beckel, Elizabeth Fitzjarrold, Sarah Stoneman, Rachael Payne, Martha Vu, Andrea Watts, and Emily Righter; 14 great-grandchildren; siblings, Daryl (Rita) Schoemaker, Eleanor Kottke, Ellen (Floyd) Erkel, Darlene Eckberg; sisters-in-law, Sally, Gloria, and Barabara Schoemaker. She is preceded in death by her parents Walter and Elsie Schoemaker; husband, John Beckel; son Allan Beckel; brothers, Vernon Schoemaker, Wayne Schoemaker, and Willis Schoemaker; brothers-in-law, Bernie Kottke and Donald Eckberg.

Memorial Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 9, 2024, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Austin with Father Thien Nguyen officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes in Austin with a rosary at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue from 10:30-11:00 a.m. on Friday before the service at the church. Interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery, Austin following the service. Memorials preferred to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center or donor’s choice. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements.