Zola Beckman

Zola Beckman, 88, of Lake City, passed away Sept. 12, 2024, at Stewart Memorial Community Hospital in Lake City. Zola Mae was born July 24, 1936, to parents Martin and Olive (Streeter) Riedesel on one of the hottest days on record, while the family was living near Lanesboro.  She was baptized at an early age in the Methodist Church in Glidden. Zola was confirmed into the Lutheran faith Feb. 20, 1955, by Reverend Arnold Boehnke.  Her confirmation verse was Rev 2:10. Zola grew up in the Lanesboro/Glidden area where she graduated from Glidden High School with the class of 1954.  

Zola was united in marriage Aug. 29, 1954 to Junior H. Beckman at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Lake City. This union was blessed with a son, Mark. After their marriage, they lived on the farm all their life until retiring and moving into town in October of 2006. Zola worked at the old McCrary-Rost Hospital and later at the new Stewart Memorial Community Hospital doing patient care for several years.  

Zola was a lifelong artist, with her favorite medium being painting with oils and acrylics. She was a member of the Fort Dodge Art Guild during the 1970s and 1980s, serving as Vice-President for a term. She maintained a “bluebird trail” for many years, sending records to the Bluebird Society and attending Bluebird conferences in which she sometimes presented. Zola spent hours and hours doing photography and giving slide programs. Most notable was the “Oregon Trail” program, which she traveled its length to acquire its history and photos. 

During her life, Zola loved working with her hands, especially outdoors. She worked alongside her husband on their farm doing chores, planting and harvesting in the field, and doing anything else that needed to be done.  She loved going fishing, trapping, hunting, horseback riding, and bird watching.  She also enjoyed tinkering, woodworking, and carpentry.  

Zola was a member of the Pilgrim Lutheran Church, the Ladies’ Aid, and Bible study groups. She taught Sunday school and Bible school arts and crafts for a few years. 

A woman of faith in Jesus; intelligence and common sense; a well-read life-long learner; a thinker and doer; solution-oriented; an outdoors woman with a love of wildlife and animals; a carpenter, woodworker, tinkerer; artist; giving; a friend to all. And most of all, stubborn.  Zola was a force of nature, leaving a memorable impression on all those fortunate enough to meet her.

Zola wanted this to be her last message to all: “If you have no interest in Heaven, you will eventually find yourself in Hell.”

Zola is survived by her son Mark Beckman of Lake City; brother Bruce (Alice) Riedesel of Lanesboro, and sister Joyce Conner, of Glidden, and several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Junior Beckman; her parents and her brother, Lyle Riedesel. 

Visit Lampe Powers online.