Emery Beck

Emery Wade Beck, 80, of Bismarck, ND, peacefully passed away surrounded by family at CHI St. Alexius on September 26, 2023.  

A memorial service will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Family will greet guests one hour prior to the service.

A family burial service will be held at the Hazelton Cemetery, Hazelton, ND.

Emery was born January 8, 1943, on the family farm northwest of Linton, ND, to Albert Beck and Helena (Schneider) Beck. He grew up on the farm, known as the Two Heart Ranch, which his family homesteaded in 1904. He graduated from Linton High School in 1960.

On November 28, 1964, Emery married former spouse, Diane (Fischer) Beck, then moved to Milwaukee, WI, where Emery worked for Briggs and Stratton. During their time in Milwaukee, Emery and Diane welcomed two sons, Dennis in 1965, and Jerome in 1967 before returning to Linton. They welcomed their third son, David, in 1968. Shortly after, the family moved to Minnesota where Emery worked at a duck and pheasant farm while attending school to become an electrician. In 1971, Emery’s mom asked him to return home to tend to the family farm as his father had been seriously injured in a vehicle accident. Emery and family returned home. In 1972, their fourth son, Marvin was born. Emery remained at the farm and continued farming and ranching for a living.

After 35 years of farming and ranching, Emery left the farm and moved to Bismarck in 1998 where he attended Bismarck State College. He earned an associate degree in applied science in the field of computer support specialist. He worked for Conventry Health Care for a short time. He then proudly went to work for Walmart where he loved to visit with customers and coworkers alike.

Emery was a hard worker both on the farm and in his hobbies. He expected the same of his sons, while they worked to find a balance between helping on the farm and starting their families and careers. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting with his family and tinkering with various electronics.

Emery was a strong supporter of wildlife preservation. In 2010, he earned the Wildlife Conservation Award from the Emmons County Soil Conservation District. He was a patriotic, generous soul and always had an interesting story to share with anyone he encountered. He always placed the needs of his fellow farmers before his own. He took great pride in all four of his sons serving in the North Dakota National Guard.

Emery is survived by his four sons, Dennis (Jane), Jerome (Jodi), David (Dana), and Marvin (Kerry), twelve grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, his siblings, Joseph Ohlhauser, Helen (Beck) Roehrich, Christian Beck, Carol (Beck) Wolf, Kathryn (Beck) Aschenbrenner, two former spouses, Diane (Fischer) Beck, Sharon Beck, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert Beck and Helena (Schneider) Kruschwitz, siblings Albert Ohlhauser and Alvina (Beck) Ohlhauser.

In lieu of flowers and monetary gifts, the family encourages donations be made to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery or a local charity of your choice in honor of Emery Beck.