Adam P. Van Beck, age 101 of Greenwald, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, Oct. 24, 2016 at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose, Minn.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Greenwald with Rev. Mitchell
Bechtold officiating and Rev. Marvin Enneking, Rev. Ken Thielman and Rev. Vince Lieser concelebrating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.
Visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the
Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Knights of Columbus prayed at 5 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.
Adam Peter Van Beck was born May 31, 1915 in Spring Hill Township, Stearns County, Minn. to Albert and Mary (Kolb) Van Beck. Adam attended country school through the eighth grade. He was united in marriage to
Cecelia Fuchs on June 2, 1941 at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Lake Henry. The couple farmed southwest of Greenwald until June of 1974, when they retired and moved into town.
He was a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Greenwald and the Knights of Columbus Council #1633. Adam enjoyed watching purple martins and was a bowler who was able to bowl until he was the age of 98. He also enjoyed fishing and dark house spearing, listening to old time music, and was a big fan of the Minnesota Twins and the Greenwald Cubs.
Survivors include his children, Norma (Tom) Kaluza of Circle Pines, Peter (Joan) Van Beck of Greenwald, Vernon Van Beck of Shoreview, Larry (Rosie) Van Beck of Melrose, and Ralph (Linda) Van Beck of Greenwald; 16 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren; sister, Katherine “Kitty” Gruber of Melrose; and brother, Reuben (Arlene) Van Beck of Cold Spring.
Adam was preceded in death by his wife,
Cecelia Van Beck on March 15, 1993; parents; brother and sisters, Edwin Van Beck, Beata Brang, Monica Ehlert, and Erma Walz.
Serving as gift bearers were Lisa Aronson, Elisha Seanger, Jessica Reed, and Jill Van Beck and lector was Nate Van Beck. Cross bearer was Laurie Nyren and scripture bearer was Marti Van Beck. Mass servers were
Damon Van Beck and Zack Van Beck and Eucharistic minister was Tom
Kaluza. Serving as gift bearers were Lisa Aronson, Elisha
Seanger, Jessica Reed, and Jill Van Beck.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.