David L. Beckley

David Lee Beckley, 82, of Onalaska, passed away unexpectedly Friday, June 10, 2016 at the Gundersen Health System. He was born May 6, 1934 in La Crosse to Philip and Ferol (Stauffer) Beckley. He grew up in La Crosse and attended First Evangelical Lutheran School before graduating from Central High School in 1952. He enlisted in the U. S. Army and served in Korea during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge in 1955 He attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison where he met his wife Alecea Kellar. The two were married on August 31, 1957 and eventually the couple made their home in La Crosse where they raised five children. David worked as an auditor for the state of Wisconsin for many years before moving on to security at Gateway and Fleming. He then worked for the U. S. census bureau until his retirement.
Dave was a lifelong member of First Ev.Lutheran Church, the U.S. Army National Guard, a member and past commander of both the American Legion, post #52, a member of VFW post #1530. He was also a member of the DAV, the La Crosse Curling Club and was heavily involved with American Legion Baseball.
Together he and Alecea enjoyed planning trips and they traveled to Ireland and Scotland. They shared a love of Cocker Spaniels and together they adopted Sheena, who would turn out to be constant companion for David after Alecea died suddenly in 2006. After Sheena’s death he rescued two more dogs and they became an inseparable trio. Dave had many elaborate hobbies throughout his life including dog breeding and showing, bicycles, bird watching, attending and supporting the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, lawn care, outdoor sound systems and even fireworks. Everything he did, he did big. Anniversaries, birthdays, the Fourth of July and especially Christmas, he always went above and beyond.

He will be missed by his children, Stephanie (David) Bowne of La Crosse, Wis.; Julie Beckley of Holyoke, Mass.; Laurie Rice of Spiceland, Ind.; Michael (Lisa) Beckley of Olympia, Wash. and Paul (Tracy) Beckley of West Salem, Wis.; nine grandchildren, Brianna, Kyle, Kellen, Justin, Jayden, Torin, Jarron, Olivia and Jacob; sister, Bonnie (Ralph) Mann of Onalaska, Wisc.,brother, Daniel (Sandy) Beckley of Tarzana Calif., sister, Sherry (John) Kapanke of Minneapolis, Minn., as well as many other family, friends and beloved dogs, Ivy and Holly.

David has been reunited with his wife of more than 49 years Alecea, parents and dog, Sheena.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at First Ev. Lutheran Church with Reverend Richard Pamperin officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will follow at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park with military honors provided by the Roy L. Vingers American Legion, Post 52. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Gundersen Lutheran for the care and support they provided. Also a special thanks to Linda at Houghton’s for the weekly lunches and for always bringing the fries on the separate plate.