Roger Lee Beckel, 56, of Sturgis, died Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, at his residence near Sturgis.

Roger was born Nov. 14, 1953 in Austin to Bernard and Lois (Swehla) Beckel. He graduated from high school in Austin and received his Bachelor of Science in Business from Arizona State University. He graduated from St. Thomas in Minneapolis with a master’s in Business Administration.

Roger was employed for Wells Fargo, ACRO and ING as an executive loan officer.

He married Betty Holden in Brooklyn Park, Minn. on Oct. 5, 2002.

In 2003, Roger and Betty purchased the Bulldog Campground near Pleasant Valley, south of Sturgis. Roger commuted from Minneapolis to Sturgis until making the Black Hills his permanent home. Roger was employed as the Chief Financial Officer for Corbon in Sturgis at the time of his death.

He was a member of the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce and the Harley Owners Group. He enjoyed motorcycling, watering his trees, his honesty and caring for other people.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Beckel, Sturgis; one daughter, Jacqueline Beckel, St. Paul, Minn.; two step-daughters, Allison (Jeff) Brausen, Coon Rapids, Minn. and Kimberley Boudreau, Minnetonka, Minn,; two brothers, Thomas Beckel, Minneapolis and David Beckel, Wauseca, Minn.; three sisters, Vicki (Steve) Pearson, Prior Lake, Minn., Judy (Terry) Vogel, Bowling Green, Ky. and Linda (Mitch) Dennison, Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis with Father Arnold Kari officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 8 a.m. until service time at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

A memorial has been established to the local Relay for Life.

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