Age 91, of Manhattan, died December 27, 2013. Joe was born April 28, 1922, in Richmond, Minnesota, the son of Joseph and Libbie Beaudet. He grew up in Stillwater, Minnesota, and graduated from Stillwater High School. Following graduation, he served our country during WW II in the U.S. Army. He also attended colleges in St. Paul (Minnesota), Bozeman (Montana) and Barre (Vermont) where he learned the art of monument design following in his fathers footsteps. Joe was united in marriage to Patricia Miller on October 14, 1950 in St. Croix Beach, Minnesota and they were blessed to celebrate almost 61 years of marriage. He owned and operated the Manhattan Monument Company with compassion and integrity for over 44 years. Many of Joes monuments are unique works of art in response to families wishes to memorialize their loved ones in creative ways.
Joe was a very generous, kind and humble man and always a gentleman. He sacrificed a lot to provide for his six children and beloved wife, Pat. He worked long hours but always found time to help at his childrens school activities, attend his sons baseball games and remodel the family home. His carpentry was outstanding and during the last two years of his life he built a scale model church with incredible details in honor of his wife. The church joyfully filled his remaining days.
Joe had a great sense of humor and his quick wit will be treasured and missed by everyone! He was a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church and the VFW.
Survivors include his six children: Maureen Beaudet of Overland Park, KS, Ernie Beaudet and his wife Dee of Topeka, KS, Libbie Richards and her husband Bob of Ballston Spa, NY, Carolyn Binder and her husband Steve of Washington, MO, Patti Brunnert and her husband Chuck of Ft. Worth, TX, and Margie Beaudet of Orlando, FL; two siblings: Bonnie Albertson, Albert Beaudet and his wife Jean; and eight grandchildren: Jennifer and Julie Binder, Joe and his wife Karen Beaudet, Austin, Lexi and Audrey Beaudet, Amanda and Kevin Brunnert.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, his parents and one grandson, Chip Brunnert.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, January 2nd, at Seven Dolors Catholic Church with Father Joseph S. Popelka as Celebrant. Cremation will follow the services with private family burial in Sunrise Cemetery at a later date.
A Christian Wake Service will be held at 6:00 PM Wednesday at Seven Dolors Catholic Church. The family will receive friends following the wake until 7:30 PM at the church.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers the family would like donations made to the Friendship Meals or the Salvation Army. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
