Barbara Beske

Barbara "Bobbie" Beske, 80, of Redwood Falls died Monday, December 12, 2011 at Wood Dale Nursing Home in Redwood Falls. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 18, 2011 from the Church of the Nazarene in Backus with Rev. Ken Harmon officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Backus. Visitation will be held in Redwood Falls on Thursday, December 15, 2011, from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Nelson-Martin Funeral Home in Redwood Falls. Visitation will also be held on Sunday at the church for one hour prior to services.
Barbara June Beske, the daughter of Rev. F.J. and Rose (Peterson) Duke, was born October 12, 1931 in Harlan, Iowa. Barbara grew up in several different communities as her father was called to serve at various Nazarene churches in the Midwest. She attended Pasadena Nazarene College and Northwest Nazarene College, majoring in Home Economics. On August 16, 1964, Barbara married Gerald Beske.
Her life's work began with the Minnesota Gas Company in Brainerd; Barbara then became the dietician at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, the senior citizens center in Decorah, Iowa and, finally, Redwood Area Hospital in Redwood Falls. Her greatest gift was giving. Barbara loved to find a "bargain," buy it and give it way - and she always had a stash of goodies. Barbara loved to cook and spread the table with a bounty of food. She loved her family, she was proud of her life's work, and she loved to spend time at the cabin.
She is survived by her husband Gerald of Redwood Falls; her sons Timothy J. (Robin) Beske, and Thomas J. Beske, both of Redwood Falls; grandchildren Taylor Jon, Jenith Kay, and Ella Anne; her brother Jamie D. (Muriel) Duke of Pine River; her sister Dr. Connie Duke of Jupiter, Florida; her great-aunt Jean; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Blessed be her memory.