Richard "Duane" Beals, age 87, of Wolsey, died Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family and friends. Per his request, he will be cremated and there will be no visitation. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Richard Duane Beals was born June 12, 1930 to James D. and Gladys (Richards) Beals at Dwight, North Dakota. Richard graduated from Harlingen, Texas High School.
On January 9th, 1951, he enlisted in the United States Air Force at Minneapolis, Minnesota. He served in Korea with the 521st USAF Infirmary and was awarded the Bronze Star. He returned to Harlingen, Texas in 1954.
In 1958, Duane moved to Wolsey where he operated his honey bee keeping business and moved his bees to Texas during the winters.
On August 30, 1969 he married Melva J. Pownell at Wolsey, South Dakota.
Duane was a member of the Wolsey American Legion, past fireman with the Wolsey Fire Department and member of the South Dakota Beekeepers Association.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Melva (Pownell) Beals of Wolsey; his son, Steven (Lynne) Beals of Huron; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Idel McDonald of Huron and Judy Harder of Lincoln, Nebraska; and numerous nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, J.D. and Gladys Beals; his two sons, Michael Beals and Craig Beals; his sister; and his brother.