Howard Erwin Te Beest

Howard Erwin Te Beest, age 81 of Waupun, died peacefully, on Sunday, March 14, 2010 at Harbor Haven Nursing Home in Fond du Lac.

Howard was born on December 14, 1928 in the Town of Alto, and attended local schools before working on the family farm. On June 18, 1948, he married Nina Aalsma in Waupun, and they managed the family dairy farm until March of 1968. Howard was then employed with the Farmers Elevator as the assistant manager for over twenty years. Following his retirement in 1991, Howard and Nina moved to Montana where they lived for fourteen years, returning to Waupun in 2005. While in Montana, Howard enjoyed driving school bus. They attended the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Churchill, where he was active on the Church Council. He was a wonderful tour guide for visiting family and friends. Howard had a great appreciation for the scenic mountains, and enjoyed fishing in the great outdoors. Howard was a loving husband, devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He had a very social, generous nature and enjoyed visiting with people. Howard was a longtime member of First Christian Reformed Church of Waupun where he has served in the Council and taught catechism.

Howard is survived by Nina, his wife of sixty-one years; seven children, Linda (Wally) Beekman, Waupun; David (Lynette) Te Beest, Waupun; Patricia (Barry) Irish, Amberg, WI; Howard (Shar) Te Beest, Waupun; Paul Te Beest, Whitehall Montana; Ron (Gail) Te Beest, Butte, Montana; and Nancy (Brian) Gosh, Stevens Point; thirty-one grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren;; one brother-in-law, John (Loretta) Aalsma; three sisters-in-law, Beatrice Heideman; Georgianna Herrmann; Irene Ter Beest; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Karen; a grandson, Scott Beekman; a great-grandson, Andrew Beekman; one sister, Bernice Koenders; and two brothers, Gilbert and James.

A Service to Celebrate the Life of Howard Te Beest will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at First Christian Reformed Church, 20 Bly Street, Waupun, officiated by Rev. Craig Van Hill and Rev. Norman Haan. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Garden.

Howard’s family will receive relatives and friends on Wed. March 17, 2010 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Kohls Community Funeral Home, 405 W. Main St. Waupun; and at the church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of service.

A Memorial Fund has been established in Howard’s name for Agnesian Healthcare Hospice Hope, 239 Trowbridge Drive, Fond du Lac, WI 54937; and Central Wisconsin Christian Schools, 301 Fox Lake Road, Waupun WI 53963.