![Walter J. Beckers, 87, St. Cloud](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2014/06/lily_Kokako.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Walter J. Beckers, 87, St. Cloud
February 11, 1929 - April 29, 2016
Walter danced his way to Heaven Friday evening, April 29, 2016.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud for Walter J. Beckers, age 87 of St. Cloud who passed away at the St. Cloud Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Reverend Thomas Knoblach will officiate. Inurnment with military honors will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. Visitation will be after 10:00 a.m. on Thursday at the church. Arrangements were by the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud.
Walter was born on February 11, 1929 to Anton and Gertrude (Vanheel) Beckers. He married Catherine M. Fischer on January 29, 1949 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud. He and Catherine lived in the St. Cloud area. In 1960 they built a house on Upper Spunk Lake. In 1994, after the children were all grown, they sold their lake home and moved to St. Cloud. They spent winters in Mesa, Arizona. Walter was a member of the St. Cloud Veterans of Foreign Wars Granite Post #428.
He had been employed as a carman for Burlington Northern Railroad in Waite Park until his retirement. One of his proudest moments was being a veteran of World War II, having served as a Navy medic on the USS Mercy.
In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking, and spending time with his family.
Walter is survived by his children, Luanne (Ken) Janssen of St. Cloud, Bill (Sharon) of New Munich, Joanne Gretsch of Wayzata, Wally (Jean) of Avon, Cindy (Buster) Fiedler of Albany, Linda (Bill) Salzer of St. Joseph, Mary Zupanc of St. Cloud, Donna (Rick) Scepaniak of Avon, Trudy (Doug Vogt) of Richmond and Dianna (Mike) Esplan of St. Cloud; 22 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine on July 28, 2004; parents, Anton & Gertrude on May 2, 1971; son-in-law, Thomas A. Zupanc on January 29,2015; grandson, Scott P. Gretsch on December 17, 2015; brothers, Harold, Herbert, and Arthur; and sister, Irene Spoden.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Staff at the VA Health Care System in St. Cloud. Their dedication and effort to provide quality care over the last 3 months were a heartwarming blessing to the entire family. We thank God for the gift of his life and the blessing of the time we spent with him.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
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