Beryl D. Buchan, 83, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, at St. Mark’s Living.

Beryl was born March 21, 1931, in a rural farm-house near Sherburn, Minnesota, to Ernest and Helen Buchan. He attended a country school and was taught by the same teacher for eight years. Beryl and his twin sister, Beulah, were one of three sets of twins in the same country school. He graduated from Sherburn High School. After graduation, Beryl was drafted into the US Army in 1952 during the Korean War and was a trained wire man located on the front line until the war ended. He was released from active duty in 1954. He attended Fargo Trade School for body and fender auto repair. He was employed at the Ford Garage in Sherburn and then the Chevrolet Garage.

Beryl married Elaine Wolter in 1956 at the Congregational Church in Fairmont. They lived in Sherburn before moving to Rochester, Minnesota, when Beryl got a job with State Farm as a claims adjuster. Five years later, Beryl was promoted to claims superintendent in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and they moved to Waukesha, Wisconsin. In 1973, Beryl decided to move to a community closer to home and became a State Farm agent in Austin, Minnesota, retiring 38 years later.

Beryl’s interests included first of all the joys of his family and friends. He could talk forever about his time in Korea. He loved being around his children and grandchildren. He was a skilled carpenter and handy man. If he could not fix it or build it, they didn’t have it. Beryl served as past president of the Austin Chamber of Commerce and was the past exalted ruler of the Elks Club twice. He also served as president of the Life Underwriting Association’s Austin chapter.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Helen Buchan; sister LaVonne; brothers-in-law: Robert Hartke, Duane Erickson, and Walter Burgeson.

Beryl is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elaine Buchan, Austin, Minnesota; children: Dean (Mandy) Buchan, Austin, Minnesota, Darci Buchan, Austin, Minnesota, David (Susie) Buchan, Norwich, Connecticut; grandchildren: Brianna Buchan, Austin, Minnesota, Andy (Samantha) Buchan, Rochester, Minnesota, Baily, Skyler and Paige Buchan of Norwich, Connecticut, Paul (Jen) Yeitz, McGuire Air Force base, Trenton, New Jersey; great-grandchildren: Jaylynn Buchan, Aubrey Buchan, and Riley Yeitz; sisters: Beulah Erickson, Alpha, Minnesota, Margaret Burgeson, Armstrong, Iowa, Joan (Earl) Jenkins, Mesa, Arizona, Cleone (Art) Syverson, Windom, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 22, at First Congregational Church with the Rev. Shari Mason officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Sunday and at the church on Monday one hour before the service. Condolences may be expressed at www.clasenjordan.com. Beryl will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.