Nancy M. Beckendorf

Nancy M. Beckendorf, age 91, of La Crosse and formerly of Buffalo City, WI, died on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Brookdale Senior Living in La Crosse. Nancy was born on June 18, 1932, to Elmer and Henrietta (Krause) Koerner in Milwaukee, WI. After graduating from high school, she worked at Badger Insurance Co. In June of 1951 she met her husband, Rev. W.L. Beckendorf. They were married on June 3, 1955, in Milwaukee, WI, after he graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI. They lived in South Shore, SD, Prescott, WI, Winona, MN (Wilson township), Cochrane, WI, and Buffalo City, WI.

Nancy worked for a Secretary Service in Winona which took her to many businesses in Winona. Later she worked for Marriot Food Service and Sauer Memorial Home as payroll clerk. Nancy was an officer for the LWMS and OWLS organizations of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. She loved to knit for her family and sew sweaters and afghans for her children. She also loved to read.

Nancy is survived by her six children, Naomi Beckendorf, Lois (Tim) Shantz, Timothy (Kim) Beckendorf, Eunice Beckendorf, Thomas (Lori) Beckendorf, and Paul (Lois) Beckendorf; ten grandchildren, Matthew (Juliann) Beckendorf, Jesse (Brenna) Beckendorf, Monica (fiancé Travis) Oakes, Jacob (Heather) Shantz, Andrea (Dylan) Becker, Zachary (Britty) Shantz, Amanda Beckendorf, Mitchell (Morgan) Beckendorf, Nicole Beckendorf, and Sara Beckendorf; twelve great grandchildren, Alexander and Sebastian Oakes, Miriam, Brady, and Caleb Burr, Emma and Bennett Beckendorf, Brielle and Kendall Shantz, Vance and Alanis Becker, Sloane Beckendorf, Landon Beckendorf, and Ava Shantz coming in July.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and her mother and father-in-law.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pickwick, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Pastor Jim Nelson will officiate. Memorials may be given to Luther High School or St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.