John Eugene Beghtel

John was born September 19, 1934, in Guthrie Center, IA. He was the fourth of five sons born to Floyd and Florence (Barnhouse) Beghtel.

John graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1952. He then moved to Waterloo IA where he worked at the Rath Meat Packing Company and later at the John Deere Manufacturing Facility. He was also in the Army Reserves.

John married Janet A. Stolt in Waterloo IA on August 24, 1956. They met at church and were married for 35 years. They had two children, Julie Lynn (Beghtel) Oettel and Steven Jay Beghtel. Janet preceded him in death in 2020.

John married his second wife Mary Jo Kress in 1995, and she preceded him in death in 2018. They traveled to many places including Alaska, Hawaii and Israel.

John was kind, compassionate, funny, and deeply loved. The world was better with him in it, and he will be deeply missed. He was a loving father, husband, grandfather, son, and brother. He loved Jesus and his favorite hymn was “How Great Thou Art.” He enjoyed playing ping pong (high school champ), basketball, pool, cards, and square dancing. He especially enjoyed our family summer vacations spent in Crosslake, MN and fishing on Trout Lake. He liked to smile, laugh, and enjoy life.

We are blessed and forever grateful to have had the best parents in the world. They were wonderful. We loved them so much and we miss them every day. Time endears but cannot fade the memories that love has made. On this day and always we will remember you.

John is survived by one daughter, Julie Lynn Oettel (David) of Littleton, Colorado and one son, Steven Jay Beghtel of Sarasota, Florida.