Beryl Biekert

Beryl Maynard Biekert, age 65 of Nashua, IA died Thursday, September 16, 2021, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, OCTOBER 7, 2021 at Republic Community Church in rural Ionia with Rev. Sarah Namukose celebrating the service. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday OCTOBER 6, 2021 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory -- Olson Chapel in Nashua. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Interment will follow the service at Horton Cemetery with Beau Biekert and Clint Biekert serving as urn bearers. Beryl was born on Oct. 20, 1955, to Maynard and Norma (Hansen) Biekert in Charles City, and he, along with his two brothers and one sister, grew up in Nashua, where he received his education and was a member of the Class of 1973 at Nashua High School. He attended Hawkeye Tech and studied diesel mechanics, but Beryl was born to be a farmer. He had the strong hands to prove it as he spent much of his life working the ground and tending to the animals on the farm near Horton that had been in his mother’s family for generations. Beryl met Jan Gibbs one day at the Town House in Nashua, and they hit it off almost immediately and were married on June 18, 1977, at St. John Lutheran Church. The family grew to include two sons, Beau and Clint, who grew up with a dad that taught them the value of hard work. They still fondly remember those summer days when Mom went to work and they spent the day raking hay, milking cows and hanging out with Dad. The Biekerts ran a dairy operation for years, and even after Beryl sold his herd in 2006, he had a soft spot for animals. Over the years, in addition to those dairy cows, Beryl tended livestock like goats and chickens and always had dogs and cats that were a big part of his family. Beryl had a one-of-a-kind, infectious laugh, and everyone in a room knew Beryl was there just by hearing the unique sound of that laugh. He loved socializing with his family and his friends, and he was the kind of guy who would do anything for anyone. Beau and Clint appreciated the trips they took as youngsters with their parents as the Biekerts visited places like the Black Hills, Yellowstone and Las Vegas. In later years, Beryl and Jan took trips to Alaska, Washington, D.C. and Niagara Falls, and one of Beryl’s favorite trips was a two-week jaunt exploring the “Old West” in New Mexico and Arizona. Beryl had an affinity for firearms, and he loved to shoot and hunt and was a proud member of the National Rifleman’s Association. He also loved to ride his Harley-Davidson motorcycles and was a volunteer for the Old Bradford Pioneer Museum. He had five grandchildren — ages 4 to 9 — who adored Grandpa, but then again, he adored them right back and loved attending their programs and events. One of the biggest challenges of Beryl’s life came in 2016, when his wife of almost 40 years passed away, but he persevered and remained the same laid-back, kind, hard-working man he had always been. In short, he made his mark on all those that knew him. He was a good husband, a fantastic father and a great grandfather and a trusty friend, and he will be missed. Beryl is survived by two sons, Beau (Dianna) Biekert of Waverly, IA, Clint (Kate) Biekert of Eldridge, IA; five grandchildren, Levi Biekert, Jesse Biekert, Lacy Biekert, Jaclyn Biekert, Leah Biekert; two brothers Bruce (Nancy) Biekert of Nashua, IA, Neal (Dianna) Biekert of Hooper, NE; one sister, Cheryl (Dennis) Schilling of Urbandale, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jan, in 2016.