Roger Lee Beckel, 56, Sturgis, died Sunday, November 15, 2009, at his residence near Sturgis.

Visitation will be Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until service time at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 19, 2009, at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis with Fr. Arnold Kari officiating.

Roger was born November 14, 1953, at Austin, MN, to Bernard and Lois (Swehla) Beckel. He graduated from high school in Austin and received his Bachelor of Science in Business from Arizona State University. He graduated from St. Thomas in Minneapolis with his Masters Degree in Business Administration.

Roger was employed for Wells Fargo, ACRO and ING as an executive loan officer.

He married Betty Holden at Brooklyn Park, MN, on October 5, 2002.

In 2003, Roger and Betty purchased the Bulldog Campground near Pleasant Valley, south of Sturgis. Roger commuted from Minneapolis to Sturgis until making the Black Hills his permanent home. Roger was employed as the Chief Financial Officer for Corbon in Sturgis at the time of his death.

He was a member of the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce and the Harley Owners Group.

He enjoyed motorcycling, watering his trees, his honesty and caring for other people.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Beckel, Sturgis; one daughter, Jacqueline Beckel, St. Paul, MN; two stepdaughters, Allison (Jeff) Brausen, Coon Rapids, MN, and Kimberly Boudreau, Minnetonka, MN; two brothers, Thomas Beckel, Minneapolis, MN, and David Beckel, Wauseca, MN; three sisters, Vicki (Steve) Pearson, Prior Lake, MN, Judy (Terry) Vogel, Bowling Green, KY, and Linda (Mitch) Dennison, Austin, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial has been established to the local Relay for Life.