Theodore “Ted” Beran, age 95 of Redwood Falls, passed away Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at the Redwood Area Hospital.  Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at First United Methodist Church in Redwood Falls.  Visitation is 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday at the Redwood Valley Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.  Burial is in New Avon Salem Cemetery.  Memorials are preferred to First United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home in Redwood Falls is assisting the family with arrangements.

Theodore Frank Beran was born to Joseph and Florence (Dahmes) Beran on March 5, 1921, in Three Lakes Township, Minnesota, and grew up on a farm outside of Clements.  He attended grade school in Clements and graduated from Wabasso High School.  Following high school, Ted attended Minneapolis Business College, graduating in 1941.  After Business College, Ted got a job with Allis-Chalmers as a clerk.  His boss encouraged him to enlist into military service, and in 1943 Ted entered the Naval Air Corps, where he was trained as a pilot.  He achieved the rank of Ensign while stationed at a series of bases, including duty in Minnesota, Iowa, Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia.  Then Ted was stationed abroad, on Curacao, but did not see active combat.  He received an honorable discharge in November of 1945.  Following his discharge from military service, Ted began trucking for his father, mainly hauling livestock.  He then transitioned into farming his home farm outside of Clements.  In 1947 he met Sara Lyman, who became his wife on June 26, 1948.  Ted and Sara had six children.  The older children remember that, during their early years, Ted would sometimes help his father and his brother Lauren in their telephone business, occasionally troubleshooting the electromechanical switchboard in Clements; he and his father also worked together in Beran Supply, a hardware store in Clements.  But farming was his main work, and he and Sara lived on the home farm until 1997.  Then they moved to Redwood Falls, where Ted lived until his death.  Sara died in 2002.  Ted loved farming, and trips often involved a visit to a stockyard or livestock auction sale.  He would often take a drive just to check the fields, and then often would stop to pull a few weeds.  He owned a couple of Allis-Chalmers tractors as long as he farmed.  His faith was very important to Ted, and he taught adult Sunday school at New Avon Salem Church for many years.  Ted loved to visit with family, friends, and complete strangers, especially about farming and politics.

Ted is survived by his children: James of Redwood Falls, William (Eileen) of Kalona, IA, Catherine (Michael) Robbins of Driftwood, TX, Richard (Nancy) of Kasota, and Elizabeth and her partner Kathy of Seattle, WA; grandchildren: Nathan, Jacob, Matthew, Samuel, Heidi, Sara, Rachel, and Megan; great-grandchildren; step grandsons and step-great-grandsons; brother Lauren of Sioux Falls, SD; several nieces and nephews; special friend Lois Scherer; and close friend Duane LeBrun.  Ted is preceded in death by his parents, wife Sara, son Thomas, daughter-in-law Virginia Toombs, sister and brother-in-law Muriel and Loye Shaw, sister-in-law Mildred Beran, and brother- and sister-in-law Tom and Esther Lyman.