Phyllis Jean Beckman, daughter of William and Luella (Kuester) Kerkman was born August 4, 1934 at Elgin, NE. She attended St. Boniface Grade School and graduated from St. Boniface High School with the Class of 1953. After graduation, Phyllis worked for various families around Elgin cleaning house and watching children.

On September 13, 1955, Phyllis was united in marriage to Edward L. Beckman at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Elgin, NE. The couple lived and farmed southeast of Elgin until moving to Elgin in 1989. She was a housewife and later worked at Parr’s Café in Elgin, NE and Keahaven Nursing Home in Neligh, NE. In 2003, Phyllis entered the Wolf Memorial Good Samaritan Center in Albion, NE.

Phyllis was a member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Raeville, NE and later St. Boniface Catholic Church in Elgin as well as a member of the Christian Mothers at both parishes. Phyllis enjoyed baking and sewing; making many clothes for her grandchildren.

She is survived by 1 son: Ronald Beckman and wife JoAnn of Elgin, NE; 2 daughters: Judy Havel and husband James, and Janice Pelster and husband Bob, all of Bartlett, NE; 10 grandchildren: Brian Beckman, Julie (Tom) Krause, Jenna Beckman, Brandi Havel and fiancé Brady Dexter, Cody Havel, Jamie Havel, Rebecca (Nate) Flider, Wesley Pelster, Caleb Pelster, Corin Pelster; 1 great-grandson: Beau Thomas Krause; 8 siblings and spouses: Joyce (Alex) Thramer of Ewing; Alice Kallhoff of Neligh; Jim (Betty) Kerkman of Elgin; Leonard (Judy) Kerkman of Clearwater; Millie (Larry) Wanser of O’Neill; Joan (Larry) Luettel of Albion; Cyril (Deb) Kerkman of Atkinson; and many nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, husband Edward in 1997; and 2 brothers: Louis and Dean Kerkman.