Leo Beranek
July 5, 1942 ~ November 2, 2013
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Leo F. Beranek, age 71, passed away peacefully and in true Catholic fashion on All Souls' Day, November 2, 2013, following a valiant fight with esophageal cancer. Ever the optimist, Leo's jovial spirits and positive outlook on life carried him with grace to his last day.
Leo was born on July 5, 1942 to Joseph and Mary Alice (Heenan) Beranek. He was raised in South Hand and lived in Hand County throughout his life. Because of an introduction made by his mother, he met his soulmate Mary Goodwin. They were married on November 3, 1962. Leo took over and continued to operate the farmland homesteaded by his Grandfather James Beranek, where he taught most of his children to drive a tractor well before they turned 10 years old. The love of that land stayed with him and has been passed on to his children and grandchildren. Through his life he was a jack of many trades: cowboy, farmer, rancher, cattle broker, pig trader, carpenter, construction worker, but mostly an entrepreneur. He owned four businesses over the years in and around Miller, South Dakota: The Sports Stop, The Ponderosa, Miller Livestock, and Midwestern Auction.
Quick with a handshake and a warm greeting, to know Leo was to be his friend. He was happy and giving; brave and resilient; humble on his own behalf and wildly proud of his children. A man of deep Christian faith, Leo loved life and loved his family even more.
He will be missed tremendously by his loving wife and best friend of 51 years, Mary Beranek; his seven children, John Beranek, Thomas (Robin) Beranek, Barbara (Gerald) Rounds, Timothy (Paula Molliconi) Beranek, James Beranek, Angela (Davin) Brandt, and Joseph (Kecia) Beranek; his fourteen grandchildren, Brooke, Karleigh, Beau, and Gunner Beranek; Austin, Garret, Isaac, and Sarah Rounds; Bernadette and Mary Alice Beranek; John, Luke, and Leo Brandt; and Lincoln Beranek. He is also survived by his sister Eileen Kusser and in-laws Simon Kusser, Carolyn Beranek, Lynette Buckley, John (Emily Rosenthal) Buckley, Jean (Kelsy Kuehn) Buckley, special cousin Linda O?Connell, as well as many nephews, nieces, cousins, and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Mary Alice Beranek; his brother Marvin Beranek, father-in-law John Buckley; mother-in-law Elizabeth Miller; and brother in-law Jim Buckley.
A celebration of Leo?s life will take place on Friday, November 8, 2013 at 7:00 pm at St Ann?s Catholic Church, followed by a ?Happy Hour? at the Beranek home where everyone is welcome. Leo's family asks that you bring your family branding irons to the wake or funeral to help create a special memory to be used at the Beranek ranch. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am at St Ann?s Catholic Church on November 9, 2013. Burial will be at St Ann?s Catholic Cemetery. In honor of the cattleman, a roast beef dinner will be served following the funeral at the Miller Armory. Leo would want all to come to a ?celebration? of life.
In lieu of flowers, the Beranek family is requesting a memorial be made to the Miller Community Center in memory of Leo Beranek.
Checks can be made out to the Miller Community Center and can be sent to:
On Hand Development
103 West 3rd Street
Miller, SD 57362.
Leo was born on July 5, 1942 to Joseph and Mary Alice (Heenan) Beranek. He was raised in South Hand and lived in Hand County throughout his life. Because of an introduction made by his mother, he met his soulmate Mary Goodwin. They were married on November 3, 1962. Leo took over and continued to operate the farmland homesteaded by his Grandfather James Beranek, where he taught most of his children to drive a tractor well before they turned 10 years old. The love of that land stayed with him and has been passed on to his children and grandchildren. Through his life he was a jack of many trades: cowboy, farmer, rancher, cattle broker, pig trader, carpenter, construction worker, but mostly an entrepreneur. He owned four businesses over the years in and around Miller, South Dakota: The Sports Stop, The Ponderosa, Miller Livestock, and Midwestern Auction.
Quick with a handshake and a warm greeting, to know Leo was to be his friend. He was happy and giving; brave and resilient; humble on his own behalf and wildly proud of his children. A man of deep Christian faith, Leo loved life and loved his family even more.
He will be missed tremendously by his loving wife and best friend of 51 years, Mary Beranek; his seven children, John Beranek, Thomas (Robin) Beranek, Barbara (Gerald) Rounds, Timothy (Paula Molliconi) Beranek, James Beranek, Angela (Davin) Brandt, and Joseph (Kecia) Beranek; his fourteen grandchildren, Brooke, Karleigh, Beau, and Gunner Beranek; Austin, Garret, Isaac, and Sarah Rounds; Bernadette and Mary Alice Beranek; John, Luke, and Leo Brandt; and Lincoln Beranek. He is also survived by his sister Eileen Kusser and in-laws Simon Kusser, Carolyn Beranek, Lynette Buckley, John (Emily Rosenthal) Buckley, Jean (Kelsy Kuehn) Buckley, special cousin Linda O?Connell, as well as many nephews, nieces, cousins, and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Mary Alice Beranek; his brother Marvin Beranek, father-in-law John Buckley; mother-in-law Elizabeth Miller; and brother in-law Jim Buckley.
A celebration of Leo?s life will take place on Friday, November 8, 2013 at 7:00 pm at St Ann?s Catholic Church, followed by a ?Happy Hour? at the Beranek home where everyone is welcome. Leo's family asks that you bring your family branding irons to the wake or funeral to help create a special memory to be used at the Beranek ranch. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am at St Ann?s Catholic Church on November 9, 2013. Burial will be at St Ann?s Catholic Cemetery. In honor of the cattleman, a roast beef dinner will be served following the funeral at the Miller Armory. Leo would want all to come to a ?celebration? of life.
In lieu of flowers, the Beranek family is requesting a memorial be made to the Miller Community Center in memory of Leo Beranek.
Checks can be made out to the Miller Community Center and can be sent to:
On Hand Development
103 West 3rd Street
Miller, SD 57362.
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Thoughts and prayer to the whole Beranek family. What a special angel you have all gained. Leo will be missed by so many across the whole state, he was a well known and a wonderful person. May God be with you all in your time of sorrow.
The Schlechter’s
Andy, Deidra, Denae, VonnaGail, Aleah, & Terrell
At times like this words just don’t seem enough. Leo fought the good fight and now he is at rest soaring with the angels. May God wrap his loving arms around all of you and sustain you during this sad time. Love and prayers to all of you…
Melvin & Debbie Brueggeman
I remember Leo umping our little league games on the ball diamond at the Mission Dam. He was always fair but friendly, so I knew when he was behind the plate the game would go smoothly and be fun. He was truly a great guy. You all are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
I was saddened to hear of Leo’s passing. May the memories of him remain in the hearts of those who loved him.
God’s richest blessings in the days ahead as you celebrate a life well lived.
Leo was truly one of the most welcoming people we have known. We always felt comfortable and loved when we were in his presence. He and Mary created an amazing clan of people who are accepting, fun, and fiercly loyal. What have we learned from the Beraneks? Love one another, help one another and for gosh sakes just show up!
Our deepest sympathy to your family. Leo fought the good fight and for that we should all be proud. May God bless you all at this time.
Our Thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of need and wish you all the peace knowing that he is in a better place and resting comfortably with our creator..
Luv to the family of Leo Beranek
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. Leo loved life and I wanT to share this with Mary and the family:
A million times well cry
If love could have saved you,
You never would have died.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we love you still,
In our hearts you hold a special place,
No one could ever fill.
It broke our hearts to loose you,
But you did not go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God took you home.
Prayers and sympathy to you all. Leo was always so ready with a smile or a hug for anyone. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Thinking of you … Our prayers are with you all .
We always enjoyed having Leo stop by our farm when he was consigning cattle. He was so proud of Mary and the kids. What a great guy that will be dearly missed!
We were so sorry to hear about
Leo. Our prayers are with you
and your family.
What a great guy! So sorry for your loss, but knowing what Leo was enduring, we wouldn’t wish for him to struggle longer.
God be with you all, Jim & Dwana Kolda
You will be sorely missed, Leo. Rest in peace good man.
Angela, please know that I will keep you and your entire family in my deepest prayers. My prayer is that God grant you comfort and peace during this most difficult time.
Kathie Battle Sayles
Dear Beranek and Kusser Families,
Dave and I are truly saddened and stunned by Leo’s sudden passing. To remember Leo was to see a smile from ear to ear. He was always happy and willing to visit. His positive outlook will always be an inspiration to us. We know the many memories of the good times will sustain you until you meet with him again.
Love, Dave and Teresa Kusser
Dear Family,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Leo. He was an incredible and loving man that I feel thankful to have known.
You all are in our thoughts.
Love,
Amy, David and Penelope Demmer.
Dear Mary & Family: Words cannot express our sympathy to all of you with the loss of Leo. He was a friend to all he met as you stated in his obituary. He was so proud of all of you and I’m sure he’s smiling now as to what you all have planned for his celebration of life this weekend. Good job!!
Deepest sympathy to all of you. Leo was a good friend to me as well as many many others.Truly wish we were able to be among the many people that will be there but my cicumstances prevent it. I will be thinking about you all. Again Mary and family you have both of our sympathy.Louie & Mardella Gortmaker.
Good man who will be missed. My deepest sympathy to your family.
I remember when I was a young child and the Danberg boys and I were sending crank calls to Leo’s house from the Sale Barn. After we made several calls, we looked out the front door of the sale barn and saw Leo pull up in front of the sale barn in a not so slowly. I never knew such a little guy could move so fast. Needless to say, he caught us and chewed our butts big time. When I came to Miller, we would talk about that incident and laugh together. He was a great man and friend. He was someone I looked up to and he always had a smile on his face, well most of the time…lol. I will miss him dearly.
John and family, blessing and peace to your family during this time of celebration of Leo. John was always so proud when he spoke of Leo.
Julie
Mary and Family We were very sadden to hear about your loss. Leo was always a person you could count on to lift your spirits no matter how low. We will miss his ever present and enduring smile and friendly welcome
Mary and family:
I just want to share my sympathy to you and your family. Knowing Leo was a blessing and I am sure he and Lyle are sharing more of those cattle stories with that big grin on their faces.
My thoughts and prayers,
Janice and family
May you find peace. God bless the memory of Leo.
My deepest sympathies to all of Leo’s family. Leo was a truly great person and friend. Let God’s love and grace surround you in this time of great sorrow, for he is mourning with you. Our prayers are with you. Tom, Fran and Mike
Our sympathy to your family. We are hoping the great memories you have will help sustain you in the difficult days ahead.
Please accept our deepest sympathy on the passing of Leo. We feel proud to have had the chance to meet him. Your entire family is in our prayers.
Tom and Lori Shanahan
We were so sorry to hear about Leo. He always had a smile for you. May your many memories be of comfort to you all at this very sad time. Jim & Corrine
Words truly cannot express our sympathy to you all. Leo was a great man and such a wonderful friend to all that knew him, which was many! We will miss his friendly wave and smile whenever you met or saw him.
Mary and family, our deep sympathy and prayers go out to you all in the loss of Leo. I have many fond memories growing up with time spent at the Beranek household. Leo was a great guy with a great attitude and always made you feel welcome.
Mary our thoughts are with you.
Wayne and Rita Nelsn
What a great guy and I feel very lucky to have known him. The world would be a much better place if there were more men like Leo!
With fond memories and heartfelt sympathy, my sincere condolences to you all.
Everyone will miss Leo. He was always a great friend and a joy to be with. We have prayers for Mary and family. We will be gone this weekend but offer sincere condolences.
Mary & Family…Just know we are thinking of you and extend our sincere sympathy and prayers to you all…we salute the life and legacy of Leo, a true Hand County Cowboy and entrepreneur!!!
Our Sincere Sympathy to the Family of Leo Beranek… Thoughts and Prayers are with all of you. Leo was a wonderful neighbor and a friend of everyone! May God Bless each and everyone of you @ this difficult time! Jasper & Patricia Shaw and Family
To the Family of Leo Beranek
I had the pleasure of meeting Leo during a visit to Miller during the holidays. I remember how inviting he was when I visited his home with John. He was surrounded by Family then, and you could tell that he enjoyed being with them. I am sorry for your loss, and you will be in my prayers.
I had the good fortune of meeting Leo and family for the first time this August. I feel blessed to have had that opportunity. My deepest sympathy to his entire family. Heaven has welcomed a wonderful man.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
We are so sorry for your loss. Our son and grandson spoke so highly of Leo.
Be at peace Beranek’s because Leo has won! He left a great legacy. May God guide all of you in your grief.
Leo was always positive and full of life. We are so sorry for your loss.
Sending heartfelt sympathy to the Beranek family. May God’s care, peace, and love surround you.