Keith D. Beard

Keith D. Beard, 75, Bismarck, formerly of Moffit, died August 9, 2013, at Sanford Health in Bismarck surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 10:30 AM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with Rev. Darrel Aleson officiating. Burial will be at Moffit Cemetery. Visitation will be at Monday from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service and will continue on Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Keith was born in a Bismarck hospital on September 10, 1937, to Merriwell and Frances Larsen Beard. He attended a Moffit Country School and graduated from Bismarck High School in 1955. He joined the Navy serving on the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, visiting the Philippines, Guam, Hong Kong, Hawaii, and Alaska. On November 27, 1959, Keith married Verna E. Roberts in Bismarck. To this union, they had three children, Shelly, Todd, and Denise. They farmed the Beard family farm near Moffit. Keith also worked as an engineering technician for the ND Department of Transportation from 1961 – 2000. After the death of his first wife, Verna, he married Susanne Gorde. Keith enjoyed playing piano, camping, fishing, traveling, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was very happy to find out he was going to be a great-grandpa too! Keith is survived by his wife, Sue Beard of Bismarck; his son, Todd Deb Beard of Williston; his daughters, Shelly Beard and Denise Beard Hirchert of Bismarck; his grandchildren, Kim Beard of Minot, Kayla Jason Dees of Williston, Jasmyn Hirchert of Bismarck, and Hank Hirchert of Bismarck; his sister, Faye Lyle Dinger Loehlein of St. Paul, MN; and his brother, Robert Esther Beard of Missoula, MT. He is also survived by his nieces, nephews, cousins, his stepchildren, Cindy Monte Rodaker of Jamestown, Rhea Dave George of Shillington, PA, Tracy Cheryl Bischoff of Palm Bay, FL, LeAnn Doyle Olson of Thief River Falls, MN, and Richard Linda Gorde of Sidney, MT; and his step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Verna; his parents; and his brothers, Steven and Melvin "Russell" Beard.

Keith D. Beard

September 10, 1937 - August 9, 2013