Otto “Sonny” Herbert Beard, age 86, died Thursday, Jan. 29.
Otto “Sonny” taught his family the value of hard work and to love the land as he spent his life tilling the soil, tending his dairy herd, and carrying on his family’s strawberry and blueberry farm, Beard’s Produce. He found joy and excitement in the woods he hunted, the waters he fished, the sports he enjoyed, and the family he loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Una Beard; wife of 58 years, Evonna “Bonnie” (Brenner); and sister, Marie VanKlompenberg. He is survived by his children Ronda (Kevin) Gilbert and Scott (Heidi) Beard; grandchildren Jessica (Cody) Milburn, Kristin (Tyler) VanderSyde, Mitchell (Becca) Gregory, and Clayton Beard; great-grandchildren Keagan, Otto, and Josiah; sister, Margaret Priest; brother, Wendell (Sandy) Beard; extended family and many close friends.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home, 4330 18th St. Dorr, with Pastors Craig Van Beek and Comer Skinner officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home, Dorr, and Thursday one hour prior to services.
Memorial contributions may be made to Burnips Monterey United Methodist.
