Don Gene Beran
January 24, 1930 - January 31, 2014
Obituary
BERAN, DON G.
OREGON – Don G. Beran, age 84, of Oregon, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. He was born on Jan. 24, 1930, in Wabeno, Wis., the son of Donald L. and Esther (Jylland) Beran. He grew up in Wausau, but his family moved to Madison when he started high school. He graduated from West High School in 1948, one day before his father graduated from UW Madison with his PhD in Education. The family then moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where Don graduated from Drake University with a BA in Journalism. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. After serving two years in the Army, Don returned to Madison and earned his MS in Journalism from UW Madison. There he met Evelyn Sanford, whom he married on June 29, 1957 in Easton, Md. The family settled in Madison and Don worked for a number of years in journalism and public relations for UW Madison and CUNA, before going to work for the State of Wisconsin Job Service in interstate benefits. In retirement, the family moved to Oregon, Wis. Don had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed trivia, watching sports on TV, and movies – old and new. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Evelyn; daughter, Beth (Jim) Ferwerda of Mukwonago; son, John (Sheryl) Beran of Grand Prairie, Texas; sisters JoAnne Goode of Arvada, Colo. and Nancy Sharrett of Phoenix, Ariz.; eight grandchildren, Mike, Scott, Steven, David, and Thomas Beran, Matthew (Katie) Wharton and Jennifer and Michael Ferwerda; and many nieces, nephews, and family friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 1150 Park Street, Oregon, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and also on Saturday, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Prairie Mound Cemetery in Oregon following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Vineyard Community Church in Oregon, or to Samaritan’s Purse. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Events
Visitation
Fri Feb 7, 2014 @ 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Oregon • 1150 Park Street, Oregon, WI 53575
Visitation
Sat Feb 8, 2014 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Oregon • 1150 Park Street, Oregon, WI 53575
Service
Sat Feb 8, 2014 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Oregon • 1150 Park Street, Oregon, WI 53575
Photos
No photos of Don have been shared yet.
Memories
RK
Roger Knutson
Other •
We are sorry to hear of Don's passing. Only saw him a few times, thought of him as a great person.
Roger and Christie Knutson
JM
John Mickelson
Other •
Was a blessing to know Don Beran as a friend and member of a Bible Study group back in the 1980s. Don and Evvy also read Scriptures up front at Sherri's and my wedding and at our 25th wedding anniversary ceremony a few years back. Always enjoyed Don's humor and demeanor; will never forget his unique but effective telling of the Book of Job. He will be missed but will look forward to meeting him again in eternity as we all humbly bask in the holy splendor of our Lord and Savior with great thanksgiving, unity and joy.
...John and Sherri Mickelson
BC
Beverly J. (Beran) Crapp
Other •
Deepest sympathy. I remember the last thing Don said to me was that he was older than me. He was right. I checked when I got home to see for sure. Yes I will miss him as he was closer to my age than my own first cousins were even tho we are second cousins. Take care Evie and do things slowly, time will heal but it will be hard.
PS
Pat Slapak
Other •
Evvy & family. Wanted to extend our deepest sympathy to all of you. He will be greatly missed.
I guess the only times I would have seen you & Don were at the Beran Reunions. I remember well-how you put together (A Book of Berans). I go back and look at it often and continue to add to it. Not sure if you remember me, I'm John & Gwen Laufenberg's daughter.
Sympathy to you.
Pat & Monty Slapak
Muscoda, WI.
CM
crystal matts
Other •
Dear Evvy,
I know that when Don entered heaven it became even more heavenly and joyous! To
know you both has made an impact on us as we're sure on everyone who has been so
blessed. We always loved your great,witty humor. We pray God will bless you and we
give thanks for the time we got to spend with Don and you!We would love to hear from
you ! Crystal and Neil Matts