Obituary: Larry W. Beckstrom

We celebrate the life of Larry Wayne Beckstrom. Larry passed away after a long, hard-fought battle with lung cancer. It was a life well-lived. Larry was born Oct. 8, 1941, in Duluth. He grew up in Cloquet and attended Cloquet High School, and graduated from University of Minnesota Duluth with a degree in education.

Larry was a teacher in Carlton, worked for the Department of Natural Resources in Grand Rapids, and eventually settled in as Carlton's city clerk for 27 years.

He lived most of his life in the town of Carlton with the love of his life, Carol. They met 62 years ago, and on their first date he gave her an engagement ring made from a silver gum wrapper. They were married five years later on June 24, 1967, and had never been apart since. Their love for each other has been an amazing blessing and a gift to behold for the last 57 years. Larry loved hunting, fishing, skiing, gardening, canoeing, biking, and playing golf. He had an immense love of the outdoors.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Emily Beckstrom. He is survived by his wife, Carol; his daughter, Sarah (Brent) Skalicky; son, Cristian (fiancé, Barb); his sister, Janice (Mike) Brown; grandchildren, Megan, Grace and Maddie Skalicky and Logan and Jack Beckstrom; niece, Kaye (Joe) Bradshaw; and nephew, Tim Brown. Larry was deeply loved by everyone who knew him. He was kind, generous, and deeply devoted to his wife and family. He will be forever missed. Rest in peace, Pops!

A Celebration of Life will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 204 Fifth St. N. in Carlton. In lieu of flowers, please remember The Friends of the Boundary Waters (612-332-9630) and St. Croix Hospice. To leave an online condolence for Larry's family, visit http://www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.

Pine Knot News, Sept. 13, 2024