Phyllis J. Beckman

Phyllis J. Beckman

1934 – 2009

Phyllis Jean Beckman, daughter of William and Luella (Kuester) Kerkman was born August 4, 1934 at Elgin, NE. She attended St. Boniface Grade School and graduated from St. Boniface High School with the Class of 1953. After graduation, Phyllis worked for various families around Elgin cleaning house and watching children.

On September 13, 1955, Phyllis was united in marriage to Edward L. Beckman at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Elgin, NE. The couple lived and farmed southeast of Elgin until moving to Elgin in 1989. In 2003, Phyllis entered the Wolf Memorial Good Samaritan Center in Albion, NE. 

She was a housewife and later worked at Parr’s Café in Elgin, NE and Keahaven Nursing Home in Neligh, NE. 

Phyllis was a member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Raeville, NE and later St. Boniface Catholic Church in Elgin as well as a member of the Christian Mothers at both parishes. Phyllis enjoyed baking and sewing; making many clothes for her grandchildren. 

Phyllis passes away on Friday, August 24, 2009, at Wolf Memorial Good Samaritan Center, Albion, Nebraska. She was 75 years old.

She is survived by one son: Ronald Beckman and wife JoAnn of Elgin, NE; two daughters: Judy Havel and husband James, and Janice Pelster and husband Bob, all of Bartlett, NE; 10 grandchildren: Brian Beckman, Julie (Tom) Krause, Jenna Beckman, Brandi Havel and fiancé Brady Dexter, Cody Havel, Jamie Havel, Rebecca (Nate) Flider, Wesley Pelster, Caleb Pelster, Corin Pelster; one great-grandson: Beau Thomas Krause; 8 siblings and spouses: Joyce (Alex) Thramer of Ewing; Alice Kallhoff of Neligh; Jim (Betty) Kerkman of Elgin; Leonard (Judy) Kerkman of Clearwater; Millie (Larry) Wanser of O’Neill; Joan (Larry) Luettel of Albion; Cyril (Deb) Kerkman of Atkinson; and many nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, husband Edward in 1997; and two brothers: Louis and Dean Kerkman.

Funeral services were held Monday, August 24, 2009, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Elgin, Nebraska. 

Officiating was Father Dan Andrews.

Burial was at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.huffmanlevander.com.