Donald C. Beyl

Donald C. Beyl, age 94 of Brooten, died Tuesday, December 25, 2018 at the Belgrade Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brooten with Pastor Stephen Bovendam officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Camp Ripley, Minnesota. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Brooten. 

Donald Clifton Beyl, the son of Herman and Florence (Hilgrimson) Beyl was born October 20, 1924, in Glenwood, Minnesota. Donald grew up in Brooten and graduated from Brooten High School in 1942. He was active in sports in high school and had many friends with who he kept in touch with throughout the years. On March 25, 1943, Donald entered the United States Navy. He served his country during World War II on the ship U.S.S. Brown traveling to various islands including: the Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands, New Guinea, Marcus Island, Guam, Manila and the Philippines. After serving three years, seven months and eight days, Don was honorable discharged. After his military service, Don worked several part-time jobs before working for the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier for 30 years.

On October 10, 1949 Don was united in marriage to Jessie Weishair in Webster, South Dakota. This marriage was blessed with two sons, James and Donald. The couple made their home in the Twin Cities for several years before moving to Brooten in 1989. Don and Jessie shared 58 years of marriage before Jessie passed away October 22, 2007.

Donald was a life member of the American Legion Post #288 in Brooten, the VFW Post #8731 in Monticello, Minnesota and an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Brooten, serving as usher and deacon. He enjoyed talking sports and politics, along with playing and coaching baseball. He played semi pro baseball as a young man and hit a home run on the day is first son Jim was born. Don continued to live in his own home in Brooten, being active and driving until Thanksgiving of this year when he fell and had to go to the Belgrade Nursing Home. He passed away there on Christmas Day, December 25, 2018. He will be greatly missed.  

Donald is survived by his sons, James (Nicole) Beyl of Punta Gorda, FL and Donald (Diane) Beyl of Richfield, MN; 5 grandchildren, Melissa, Bryan, Tim, Ted and Charlie; 2 great-grandchild, Rylan and Aylah; half-brother, Nathaniel “Sonny” Hansen; nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jessie; brothers, Ervin Beyl and Russell Beyl and sister, Beverly Miller.

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