Jack T. Becklund

SIOUX CITY -- Jack T. Becklund, 90, of Sioux City passed away Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, at a local nursing home.

Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Augustana Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Del Olivier officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, with a prayer service at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Masonic service, at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Jack, the son of Oscar and Ellen (Carlson) Becklund, was born March 29, 1920, in Sioux City. The family lived on a farm outside of Lawton, Iowa, where he received his education. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

He married Grace Hasara on June 14, 1947, at Augustana Lutheran Church. He was a lifelong Sioux City resident. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 30 years, as a mail clerk at the main branch center window downtown.

He was a lifelong member of Augustana Lutheran Church. He was a member of the American Legion, Boys of 68, Masonic Lodge Landmark 103 and the Abu Bekr Shrine, where he was a member of the foot patrol and a past president.

Jack's greatest joy was his family and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed playing pool, fishing, bowling and camping with them. He also enjoyed golfing and playing cards with his friends. He was a very kind and gentle man, who was extremely giving. He had a great knack for carpentry.

He is survived by two daughters, Barbara (Thomas) Filer of Des Moines and Bonnie (Ed) Gilliland of Jefferson, S.D.; seven grandchildren, Michael, Cody, Kassie, Carter, Emily, Shelby and Raegan; and four great-grandchildren, Timothy, Jackson, Lizzy and Bray-Lynne. The family would like to extend a warm thank you to Derrell Dow for his compassion and friendship he showed Jack at Holy Spirit Retirement Home.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Grace; a brother, Gordy; and a sister, Lois.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Augustana Lutheran Church.