Jeffrey A. Beckel, 46

Jeffrey Alan Beckel, age 46, formerly of Austin, died on Wednesday, May 21, 2003, in Idaho Springs, Colo.

Jeffrey was born on Oct. 17, 1956, to Leonard and Anne (Jones) Beckel in Austin, Minn. He graduated from Austin High School in 1975 and attended Austin Community College. He graduated from Anoka Technical School in 1982 with a degree in electrical design. He was employed as a project manager for Swanson/Rink Consulting Engineers in Denver.

On Sept. 20, 1980, he married Laurie Fowler of Littleton, Colo., in Prior Lake, Minn. They lived in Minneapolis until their relocation to Denver in 1986.

Jeff was the former building governor and member of Washington Park United Church of Christ, an active member of the Clear Creek Fire Authority and recently completed the Foothills Fire Academy. He was also pursuing a Black Belt in Kung Fu and was an active participant in the Tommy Knockers Social Club.

Jeff loved laughing and entertaining everyone with his stories, skiing, hiking and fishing. He also loved taking care of his twin granddaughters, Mya and Lise.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Laurie, Idaho Springs, Colo.; daughter and son-in-law, Yaisa and Nathan Banek, Lakewood, Colo.; son, Nathan, Idaho Springs, Colo.; granddaughters, Mya and Lise Banek; father, Leonard Beckel, Park Rapids, Minn.; sisters and brother-in-laws, Jeni and Brad Lindberg, Austin, Minn.; Laura and Tom Schmidt, Vacaville, Calif.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Greg Beckel, Golden Valley, Minn.; Tony and Julie Beckel, Minneapolis; Andy and Paula Beckel, Lakeville, Minn.; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Hugh and Shirley Fowler, Denver, Colo.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Chuck and Cindy Fowler, Denver, Colo.; aunts and uncle, John and Jane Jones, Sally Wilson, Dorothy McMichael; nephews, Scott and Michael Lindberg, Jack Beckel; nieces, Emily Fowler, Kate Beckel; and cousins.

Jeff was preceded in death by his mother, Anne Beckel; grandparents, John and Betty Jones, Harvey and Marian Beckel; uncle, Lloyd McMichael.

A memorial service was held Thursday, May 29 at 3 p.m. at the Washington Park United Church of Christ. Memorials may be sent to the Jeff Beckel Memorial Fund c/o US Bank, 133 Engelwood Parkway, Engelwood, CO 80110, Attn: Bradley Olson.

Walter R. Oudekerk, 79

Walter R. Oudekerk, formerly of Austin and recently of Prior Lake, Minn., died on Thursday, May 15, 2003, at Hospice Homes and Suites, Elko, Minn.

Born in Rose Creek, Minn. on Dec. 19, 1923, to Anna and Henry Oudekerk, Walter is survived by sisters, Elizabeth Larson of Tacoma, Wash.; Anna Brown of Philip, S.D.; twin brother, Wallace of Mountain Home, Ark.; and numerous nieces and nephews as well as friends and neighbors in the Austin area and in Ashdown, Ark. Walter retired from the Hormel Co. in the early 1980s and enjoyed fishing and spending warm winters in Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents and nine brothers and sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at Worlein Funeral Home, 1801 4th St. NW, Austin. Refreshments will follow at the funeral home. Private internment will be held at Oakwood Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society at 3316 W. 66th St., Edina, MN 55435 or Fairview Hospice Program, 2450 26th Ave. S., Mpls., MN 55406 are preferred.

Delores L. McAlister, 73

Delores L. McAlister, 73, of Mapleview, died Sunday, June 1, 2003, at St. Mark's Lutheran Home, Austin.

She was born Jan. 28, 1930, to Edward J. and Minnie (Brechtel) Klingfus in Austin.

On Oct. 9, 1946, she married Don W. McAlister in Sioux Falls, S.D. The couple moved to Mapleview where Delores was a homemaker, enjoying sewing, cooking and playing bingo, as well as spending time with family, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Don McAlister, Mapleview; daughters, Kathy (Pete) Hancock, Mapleview; Julie (John) Wood, Mapleview; Rhonda (Marv) Eckert, Austin; son, Randy (Shelly) McAlister, Austin; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brothers, Chester Klingfus, Austin; Roger (Alyce) Klingfus, Waterloo, Iowa; David (Val) Klingfus, Austin; Jim (Ardie) Klingfus, Stewartville; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by five brothers, two sisters, three daughters and her parents.

Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. today, June 3, 2003, at the funeral home and Wednesday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Church of Christ with the Rev. David DeFor officiating.

Interment: Oakwood Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Worlein Funeral Home, Austin.

Memorials: Preferred.

Susan R. Gardner, 43

Susan R. Gardner (Tobar), age 43, of Austin, died Sunday, June 1, 2003, at her home.

She was born Feb. 27, 1960, in Austin, Minn., to Floyd and Glennellen (Thompson) Tobar. Susan graduated from Pacelli High School in 1978, then went on to Austin Vo-Tech to become a LPN.

She married John Gardner at Queen of Angels Catholic Church on Oct. 6, 1979. Susan worked as a LPN at Sacred Heart Care Center.

Susan was a CPR instructor for the American Red Cross, an avid bingo player and enjoyed the computer and Internet surfing. She loved spending time with her family and friends.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 5, 2003, at 1 p.m. at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary Chapel with Randy Stahl officiating. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Austin. Visitation will be held at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Thursday one hour before the service at the mortuary.

Honorary bearers will be Michael Lane, Melissa Stundahl and Elvin Silvestry.

Casket bearers will be John Gardner Jr., Terry McBain, Ron Whalen, Tom McBain, Tony Bina and Ron Hareid.

She is survived by her husband: John Gardner of Austin, Minn.; sons, John Gardner, Jr. of Austin, Joshua Gardner of White Bear Lake, Minn., Ryan Gardner of Austin, Minn.; sister and brother-in-law: Nancy and Art Bauer of Austin, Minn.; brother and sister-in-law: John and Marcia Tobar of Austin, Minn.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Gordon and Dawn Gardner of Iowa, Lonnie and Laurie Brown of Austin, Minn.; sisters-in law and brothers-in-law: Gloria and Tony Bina of Austin, Minn., Heather Brown and friend Darrin of Woodbury, Minn.; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and mother-in-law, Mary Lou Brown.