God, in His infinite wisdom, always knew when He would call His child, Douglas Keith Belshan, home. It is only now that He has revealed that to us, his family and friends. Doug went to be with his Lord, Oct. 10, 2012, at his home south of Park Rapids.

Born in Austin, Minn. on Nov. 1, 1940, to Jerome and Mabel (Plevka) Belshan, he became a child of God through Holy Baptism on April 18, 1943, and was confirmed Nov. 15, 1959. Doug graduated from Austin High School in 1958. He engaged in farming on the family farm on Highway 218 North, near Lansing, Minn. On April 3, 1960, he married Janice Naatz at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Austin. Their marriage of 52 years was blessed with two sons, Paul and John.

Doug farmed and was employed at IBM in Rochester, Minn. In 1971, he brought his family to Park Rapids. He raised beef cattle and worked in Real Estate for 35 years, becoming owner/broker of Straight River Real Estate with his partner, Doug Cheney. Doug was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. He served on the Board of Directors for MN North District, as well as the Mission Board. Doug was an active member of the Park Rapids Chamber of Commerce and the Park Rapids and Detroit Lakes Board of Realtors. He was a member of the Itasca Mantrap Trust Board for Operation Round-Up from 2006 to 2010 and also participated in the Itasca Mantrap Focus group.

Doug enjoyed the out-of-doors on his “ranch.” Trails in the woods provided many hours enjoying God’s creation. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in earlier years and impromptu get-togethers with friends and family. He and Jan enjoyed traveling here and abroad.

Doug is being missed by his wife, Jan of Park Rapids, Minn.; his sister, Judy Belshan of St. Paul, Minn.; his brother, Joseph J. Belshan of St.Paul; sisters-in-law: Donna Bates of Parker, Ariz.; and Pam (Butch) Krahn of Rochester, Minn.; brother-in-law, Harold (Jan) Naatz of Austin; grandsons: Jonathan (Georgina) Fondow and Andrew (Amanda) Fondow; granddaughter, Jessanna Goodwater; two special friends, Donna Kletschka and Angie Eischens Moser.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Jerome and Mabel Belshan; his brother, Gordon Belshan and his sons, Paul and John.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, Minn. The visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be held at the Lakeside Cemetery near Two Inlets, Minn. To leave online condolences or view the video tribute, please visit www.jonespearson.com.