Cletus Beranek

Cletus George Beranek, age 78 of Wabasso formerly of Wanda, passed away peacefully Tuesday, February 27, 2024 surrounded by family at his home after a battle with cancer. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 4, 2024 at St. Anne Catholic Church in Wabasso. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 3 at the church with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Monday. Interment will be in the St. Anne Catholic Cemetery rural Wabasso. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Cletus George Beranek was born April 28, 1945 to Clem and Dorothy (Rohlik) Beranek in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mathias Catholic Church in Wanda. Clete attended St. Mathias Catholic School in Wanda and later graduated from Wabasso High School. He served in the Army National Guard from 1966-1972. On August 9, 1975, Clete married Barb Rasmussen at Trinity Lutheran Church in Johnsonville Township. He and Barb worked together to build a successful family farming operation. They were blessed with three children to whom Clete passed on a legacy of love, hard work and love of nature. After he retired, he and Barb spent winters in Arizona, where he loved to hike and play cards. He continued to help his son Chad farm as long as he was physically able to. Clete was a member of the Wanda American Legion for 50 years. He was also a longtime member of St. Mathias Catholic Church until it closed at which time he joined St. Anne Catholic Church. Clete’s passions included farming, hunting, waterskiing and teaching others to water ski. In the summer, he could be found at the lake where he spent his time fishing and visiting with friends and family. Some would say Clete was the face of fishing, because he loved catching fish and cooking them for friends and family.

Clete is survived by his wife Barb Beranek of 48 years; children: Carrie (Mark) Bliss of Wabasso, Chad (Karen) of Wanda and Jeff (Stephanie) of Jackson; grandchildren: Tyler (fiancée Jess), Mikayla & Cassie Bliss, Carter & Jadyn Beranek, and Bradley & James Beranek; siblings: Galen (Chris) Beranek, Sandy (Ed) Ladwig, Dona (John) Anderson and Mae (Eric) Paluck; siblings-in-law: Ron (Carolyn) Rasmussen, Curt (Carol) Rasmussen, Gene Irlbeck and Myron (Mary) Vogt; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Clem & Dorothy, sisters Diane Irlbeck and Carol Vogt, father-in-law LeRoy Rasmussen, brother-in-law Dean Rasmussen and sister-in-law Sue Beranek.