Richard "Dick" E. Beukema

Richard “Dick” Eugene Beukema, 72, passed away at his home on Saturday, January 11, 2014 of congestive heart failure. He was born September 16, 1941 to Richard J. and Ellen (Parker) Beukema in Colfax, Iowa.

Dick graduated from Mitchellville High School in 1960. He enjoyed farming with his mom, dad, and siblings, as well as running heavy equipment with Towers Grading and Land Improvement, driving semi for Ray Burris Truckline and GTL. He served in the US Army, being stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. On July 23, 1967, he married Marilyn Ruka of Goodell, Iowa. His two sons, Dean and Todd shared the farming road and trucking excitement. He was a member of the Mitchellville United Methodist Church and Oldfield Legion Post #155.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, January 16, 2014 at Mitchellville United Methodist Church, 200 2nd Street NW in Mitchellville, with burial to follow at Mitchellville Cemetery. Visitation will be held 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Hamilton’s Mitchellville Funeral Home, 303 Center Street in Mitchellville.

Due to his love for farming, please come in your farm clothes and enjoy a cup of coffee. Wear your favorite tractor shirt: green, yellow, red, or blue, the color is entirely up to you. Dale, his brother, saw to it that he made it to his weekly Tuesday morning coffee at the Mitchellville Co-op. Great memories were made after taking motorcycle trips with brothers, Harry and Tom and their families.

Richard left behind his wife, Marilyn; sons, Dean of Guthrie Center and Todd (Dawn) of Bondurant; mother, Ellen; brothers, Harry (Leticia) and Tom (Karen), both of Mitchellville, and Dale (Sally) of Bondurant; sisters, Pat (Frank) Rouse of Spencer and Nancy Beukema of Mitchellville; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gary and Sheila Ruka of Belmond, IA and Lynn and Lorraine Ruka of Tuscon, AZ; grandchildren, Amber, Nick, and Josie Beukema, Lane Neitz, Madison (fiance, Matt Logan), Valerie, Brett, and Jill Beukema; great-grandson, Dakota; great-granddaughter, Journey; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard; paternal grandparents, Pete and Vera Beukema; maternal grandparents, Ralph and Dora Parker; and aunts and uncles.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Mitchellville Fire Department. The great crew had been there several times in the last five years for all of Dick’s complications following his accident in 2008. Our wishes are that in lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Mitchellville Fire Department or Mitchellville United Methodist Church.

Condolences for the family may be offered online at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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