Allan Beckel

Allan Beckel died peacefully at his home in Arvada, Colorado, on May 3, 2020, surrounded by his family. He was 64 years old. Al survived brain cancer for over eight years and was recently diagnosed with liver cancer that he could not fight. He will be remembered as a kind, gentle, devout, and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Al was born in Minnesota in April of 1956. He graduated from Austin High School in 1974, from St. John's University in 1978, and from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1981. In 1979, he married his wife Jean, with whom he celebrated nearly 41 years of marriage. They lived in Cold Spring, Minnesota, for 30 years before moving to Colorado in 2014.

For seven years, Al was an amazing stay-at-home dad for his two children, Michael and Elizabeth. When both kids were in elementary school, he found his calling as a children's librarian at the St. Cloud Great River Regional Library, where he worked for over 19 years and was belovedly known as ""Mr. Storyhour Man"" by scores of children. His family enjoyed his love of bringing home children's books to share, through which he introduced them to countless stories, including one about a then-little-known wizard named Harry Potter.

Al liked to play, but not lose at, cards, games, and dominos. He enjoyed acquiring and sharing knowledge and trivia. And he liked sharing food with family and friends, especially his specialties of chili and beef stroganoff.

Al enjoyed his family's tradition of frequent reunions, which often involved trips to national parks and always served to deepen bonds with his parents, siblings, and the next generation. Al's passion for travel took him abroad on multiple occasions. He introduced his children to international travel with a 30-day backpacking trip to Europe, strolled atop the Great Wall of China, summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa with his daughter, and celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary with Jean at sunset on top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Al was an Eagle Scout who led his son's Boy Scout troop. He enjoyed numerous Scouting trips and Order of the Arrow gatherings, from deep-sea fishing in the Florida Keys to teaching winter camping in northern Minnesota. In 2011, he received the Silver Beaver Award for his distinguished service to Scouting.

Al loved theater, both performing and watching. In Minnesota, he was active in several community theaters, especially the Great Northern Theatre Company in Cold Spring. In Colorado, he was a passionate volunteer at the Arvada Center for the Arts, where he logged more than 500 hours ushering for theater productions, providing hospitality assistance, and helping people enjoy the arts.

Al loved singing. His favorite karaoke song was ""New York, New York."" Those who sang with him in college, church choirs, the Cold Spring Area Maennerchor, and the Arvada Chorale can attest that God now has another talented bass in his angel choir.

Al had a deep faith. Throughout his life, he was active in parish life. In Cold Spring, he served on the St. Boniface parish council, played in the handbell choir, cantored, and helped lead trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. In Arvada, he became a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and found joy participating in the Spirit of Christ Catholic Community, a small church group, Young at Heart gatherings, and a book club. One of the highlights of his life was singing for Pope John Paul II and singing a mass in St. Peter's Basilica during a Maennerchor trip to Europe.

Al is survived by his wife, son, daughter, two grandchildren, parents, and his three siblings and their spouses. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saint John’s Abbey or St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. Cash memorials to the family will be designated for Al's grandchildren's future educational expenses.