Bernard Joseph Beuker of Melfort, Saskatchewan, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on December 30, 2011, at the age of 86. Bernard was born October 11, 1925 in his parent's home near Dixon. He was the eldest of nine children born to Leo and Juliana (nee Faul) Beuker. He attended Dixon School up to grade 9 and then attended Humboldt Collegiate for another three years. After graduating from high school, he remained on the family farm for a few years and began working at Rosenberg Electric in Humboldt. It was during this time that he bought his first car, a 1929 Model A Roadster. Bernard loved to attend dances with his brothers and sisters. It was at one of these dances that he met the love of his life, Dolores Lueke. They were married on November 7, 1951. After their wedding they moved to the farm near Sinnett that Bernard had purchased a few years prior. There they farmed for seventeen years during which time eleven of twelve children were born. In 1962, their son Wayne died tragically at the age of seven. Bernard was a "Jack of all trades". He drilled water wells and did electrical contracting while farming at Sinnett. He obtained his pilot's license and enjoyed his plane, a Piper J3. In 1968, the family moved to Melfort where they purchased and operated a seed farm and chemical/fertilizer business. In 1969, their final child was born. Bernard enjoyed many hobbies. He was always very adventurous and taught himself and some of his children how to sail. He loved to figure out how things worked by taking them apart and not always getting them back together. He loved watching birds and being in nature. He had a keen interest in science and was particularly fascinated with astronomy. His lifelong love of music began as a young boy when he learned to play the saxophone and clarinet while in high school. He continued to enjoy the performing arts throughout his life. During their retirement Bernard and Dolores enjoyed travelling - their last trip was a cruise to Alaska in 2009. Family gatherings were always a source of joy for Bernard. He was able to spend a few precious days at home during Christmas, surrounded by family, shortly before his passing. Bernard is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Dolores; 7 sons: Glen (Mary), Ivan (Audrey), Lloyd (Alice), Keith (Jan), Brian (Kathy), Wilbur (Kelly) and Allan (Kerri); 4 daughters: Bev (Kevin) Baptist, Michelle Tkachuk, Phyllis (Arliss) Preus, and Yvonne (Gordon) Doell; 27 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; brothers Edmund Beuker and Donald (Edna) Beuker; sisters Verena (Arnold) Stolz, Loretta (Alphonse) Athmer and Anita (Dwayne) Struck; numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Wayne; parents Leo and Juliana Beuker; brother Jerome Beuker; sisters Antionette Beuker and Magdalen Lueke, numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass was celebrated from Our Lady of Consolation Roman Catholic Church, Melfort, SK on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. with Celebrant Father Alberto dela Pena. Interment followed in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. If lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Parkland Place Resident Council or to a charity of one's choice. Visit the on-line guestbook at www.fedusiakfuneralchapel.com Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fedusiak Funeral Chapel & Crematorium Ltd. Melfort, SK
