Roger Bradley Beckstrom

March 4, 1931 - April 24, 2025

Roger Bradley Beckstrom was surrounded by family as he left this world peacefully in the early hours of April 24, 2025.

He was born the eldest of four children to Iner and Margaret Beckstrom on March 4, 1931 in Rockford, Ill.

Growing up, Roger was involved in church, Boy Scouts, and ROTC. He had a paper route from an early age and broke a record number of neighborhood windows playing baseball one summer.

Roger attended the University of Iowa where he achieved a B.S. in Pharmacy.

He served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955, during which time he was a pharmacy technician at Camp Rucker, Ala. These were incredibly formative years for him and he spoke often of his service and his love of country. It was also during this time that Roger met Lori, his wife of 67 years. They wed January 15, 1955 in Opp, Ala.

Roger's career as a pharmacist led the Beckstrom family across the Midwest before settling in La Crosse. His dedication was exemplified by the fact that he only missed two days of work in his entire 40 year career.

One of Roger's greatest achievements was his service to his community – participating in church leadership, delivering Mobile Meals, and spending untold hours volunteering at Sugar Creek Bible Camp.

Along with their longtime friends, Dan and Marie Vinge, Roger and Lori enjoyed many international travel adventures. In their retirement, they spent winters along the Gulf Coast each year to be near Lori's family who warmly embraced their Yankee brother-in-law.

Roger was a man of humility, kindness, good humor, quick wit, and he made a mean peanut butter and banana sandwich. He was a lifelong sports fan and especially followed his beloved Green Bay Packers. He was an avid reader and frequented the library. Classical music always played from his kitchen radio.

His unyielding love of family was best demonstrated in his years of caregiving for Lori as she deteriorated from Alzheimer's disease. He cared for her thoughtfully and without complaint until the very end.

He shared his appreciation for nature with his children, spending time outside camping, tobogganing, hunting, and fishing with them. Even after 12 hour shifts, he was always an active participant in living room wrestling matches and chess games. He was a loving and forgiving father who didn't even scold Gretchen when she creased their new VW bus.

Each summer, Roger drove the Beckstrom family to visit their relatives down south. There they created a wealth of memories and he enjoyed time on the beach with his in-laws.

Roger was also an eager playmate to his four grandchildren. He crawled around under tables, talked in funny voices, scrambled across playgrounds, and, when necessary, tended to their tears and scrapes with his trusty handkerchief.

Roger is survived by his children, Gretchen, Heidi (Philip) Connolly, Erik; grandchildren, Tanner, Kaysee, Brenna, and Áine; siblings, Duane (Mona) Beckstrom, Keith Beckstrom; brother-in-law, Larry (Sarah) Powell; sister-in-law, Olivia Maynard; and many nieces and nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Iner and Margaret Beckstrom; parents-in-law, Clyde and Jimmie Powell; daughter-in-law, Jo Lindoo; sister, Janis (Larry) Friedman; brothers-in-law, Ray Powell, Clyde (Fern) Powell, Rex (Nell) Powell, Maurice (Barbara) Powell, Cyril Maynard; sisters-in-law, Luna (Elmer) Sasser, Barbara Olmstead, Marjorie Evers, Jewel Davis, Linda (David) Shreve; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, May 9th at 11 a.m., at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2135 Weston Street, La Crosse. Pastor Mark Bartusch will officiate and burial with military honors will be in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Friday at the church from 10 a.m., until time of services. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com.