Francis "Frank" Beard

Francis Ellsworth Beard, 87, passed away from complications of diabetes on November 11, 2015, at his rural Arvilla home with children by his side, under care of Altru Hospice.

Frank was born May 7, 1928, to John and Leota (Jensen) Beard in Reynolds, ND, and was baptized in the Lutheran faith. As the oldest of 12 children, his early years were hard and he had to work at local farms. He was always proud that he bought his mother her first wringer washing machine.

In 1950, he was the first man in Reynolds drafted for the Korean War. He spent 2 years in France with the Construction Engineers and was promoted to Staff Sergeant. When he returned to Reynolds, he married Agnes Adams on November 25, 1952 and converted to Catholicism. They lived at two farms by Thompson and he worked for the Soil Conservation as a bulldozer operator, constructed a saw mill, and started the Beard Mink Ranch where he raised up to 8,000 mink.

On April 23, 1964, tragedy struck the family when a car accident killed Agnes and left Frank and the five children severely injured. Frank refused surgery until all the kids were treated. Even though the children ranged in age from 10 years to 20 months, he raised all five by himself. In 1965, he bought a farm in Arvilla where he raised mink and farmed until Dawn was old enough to start school. Then he went to work for Grand Forks County as a Road Maintenance Operator until his retirement at age 62. He farmed for a few years before fully retiring.

Frank loved trapping, fishing, and hunting. One of his greatest joys was reading and he always had a book open. He had a lot of stories to tell - growing up in Reynolds, working for Joe E. Adams where he met Agnes and waited for her to grow up so he could marry her, and his time in France. He had a simple dream - to own a farm and raise his children. He fulfilled that dream! He was always quick to say how proud he was of his children and grandchildren.


Frank is survived by his children: Mark Beard, Larimore; Francine Hile, Marinette, WI; Connie (Danny) Doak, Crandall, TX; Mary Ann Smith, Larimore; Dawn Witherite, Grand Forks. Grandchildren: Jessica (Shaun) Salyers, Justin Beard, Jeff Beard, Tonya (Sean) Palmer, Rick Hile, Jason Hile, Natoshia Doak, Jared Beard, Samantha Witherite. Great Grandchildren: Nathan Beard, Rocco Salyers, Kayla Saylers, Kenzie Salyers, Ryan Salyers, Tiberius Palmer, Braeden Doak, Matthew, Haylee and Danny Hough. Brothers: Bruce (Celeste), Richard, Roger (Mary Ann) and George Beard. Sister: Donna Zerahn. Preceded in death by his wife, Agnes, parents, sisters Barbara Van Houtan and Nellie Thompson, brothers Tom, Bill, David and Fred, sons-in-law Richard Hile, John Coppage, and Milton Smith.

The family wishes to thank Altru Dr. Kirsten Peterson and nurse Becky, and Altru Hospice, especially his nurse James, for their wonderful care.

Frank will be laid to rest at the St. Jude Cemetery in Thompson beside his wife, Agnes. After missing her for over 50 years, they are together again.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 16, 2015 in St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Larimore, ND.

VISITATION: Sunday, November 15 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. with a 4 p.m. prayer service held in the Bakke Funeral Home of Larimore. Visitation will also be for one hour prior to the funeral in the church Monday.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: St. Jude’s Catholic Cemetery, Thompson, ND.

MILTIARY HONORS AND FLAG PRESENTATION: Ted Valerius Post 97 of the Larimore American Legion and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Team.