Lyle Beckman, age 78 of Washburn, ND died Sunday, March 1, 2009 at the Marian Manor Nursing Home in Glen Ullin, ND. A celebration of Lyle's life will be held 3:00 PM Friday, May 1 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, south of Mandan, ND.

Lyle was born February 19, 1931 at Onamia, MN to Louis & Mabel (Hanson) Beckman. He attended school in Onamia and entered the U.S. Air Force in 1951. Lyle served as a Gunner on a B-17 Bomber during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Japan. He was honorably discharged on February 28, 1955 and was awarded many service medals. In 1971, Lyle became employed with the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) and worked throughout North Dakota. In 1975, he made his home in Washburn and worked as an electrician at area power plants until his retirement. Lyle enjoyed hunting, fishing, and traveling in his motor home. He especially enjoyed tinkering with his saw mill and tractors, and visiting with his friends at the Dakota Farms Restaurant in Washburn.

He is survived by two sons, Kris (Melanie) Beckman of Washburn, & Kerry (Kimberly) Beckman of Bismarck; one daughter, Kimberly (John) Smith of Hopedale, IL; two sisters, Phyllis Pobasco of Minneapolis, MN & Fern Larson of Onamia, MN; seven grandchildren, Tiffany Beckman, Amanda Vetter, Kaitlyn Beckman, Kayla Beckman, Kadie Beckman, Kelcie Beckman, & Kyle Smith; & one great grandson, Aidan.

Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother (Ben Beckman).