George Beck, 93, longtime Sawyer, ND area farmer, died Monday, September 21, 2026 in a Garrison nursing home.

George was born at home to Albert and Martha (Schuerer) Beck November 23, 1932, near Sawyer, ND. He joined 3 older sisters and later, 1 brother and 4 more sisters were born.

George farmed with his father from an early age, driving truck when his head barely cleared the steering wheel. He worked two winters in his mid-twenties in Fresno, CA, where he was introduced to his wife-to-be. George married Doris Neufeld at the Mennonite Brethren Church in 1958.

He had a sweet nature and was an expert at making babies smile. Among his many pleasures were fishing, collecting John Deere models, listening to Bill Gaither music and building and driving go-carts with his youngest son. Later pleasures were working on jigsaw puzzles, Sudoko, and watching NASCAR.

His faith in Jesus was an important thing to him from the time he accepted Christ at age 5. He would say that he clearly remembered this important life decision and gift of grace. He enjoyed singing in men's quartet and led men's choir. He served at Sawyer Mennonite Church and Our Redeemers in Minot, working in disaster relief, serving as a deacon, visiting residents and helping with chapel at Edgewood Assisted Living. He raised his kids to trust in Jesus. When son Marty got sick with cancer, family at the farm started reading verses before prayer at supper. George did the scripture reading and when a verse was especially meaningful to him, he would say, "wow!"

George dealt with his disability heroically when diagnosed in 1989 with spastic paraplegia, a slowly progressing neuro-muscular disease. With no complaints he creatively adapted to it, farming for 11 more years. He went from using a walker to a wheelchair, and then at last to a power wheelchair, which he put to great use and some abuse. George and Doris lived on the farm until October 2022, when they moved to an accessible apartment in Minot. Two years later George became a resident of Edgewood and in June of this year he was admitted to Garrison Memorial Hospital skilled nursing care where he started hospice care and entered Heaven on September 21 at l :30 am with his wife at his side.

He was preceded in death by parents Albert and Martha Beck, son Marty Beck, and sisters Alma Tabor Lutes, Evelyn lronhawk, Irene Reiswig Potts and Ruth Wiebe Doak.

George’s loving family includes his wife of 67 years, Doris; sons Chuck (Joette) Beck and Jeff (Shannon) Beck; daughter Terry Beck; 3 granddaughters and 3 great-grandsons; brother Al (Mary) Beck; sisters Doris Ollenburger, KS, Lorene (Bob) Hammerschmidt, KS, and Grace (Joey) Vogt, OK and many nieces and nephews.

Our family wants to thank the caregivers at Edgewood Assisted Living and at the Garrison Memorial Hospital nursing home wing. Their work is very valued and should be considered a high calling. Their loving care of Dad will leave a lasting impression on our hearts.

Celebration of George Beck’s Life: 1:00 p.m. October 3, 2026 at Our Redeemer’s Church, Minot.

Interment: Sawyer Mennonite Brethren Cemetery, rural Sawyer, ND

Visitation: October 2, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation in George’s name.