Joe "Dennis" Beal

Joe "Dennis" Beal of Briggsdale, CO, passed away unexpectedly Sunday morning, March 12th at home. Dennis was born January 14, 1943 to Joe and Verna (Percy) Beal in Colby, KS and had just celebrated his 80th birthday with family and friends. On December 12, 1965, Dennis married Florence Maxine Smith in Goodland, KS. They enjoyed 57 years of marriage together. Unknowingly, Dennis and Florence had originally met as young children through their families farming connections. Then meeting years later, forming a long lasting relationship. Dennis was always a hard worker, working since he was young as a mechanic. He also spent time logging, which he enjoyed. Dennis became a diesel mechanic for Cowan Concrete/Mobile Premix. He later was a mechanic at Monfort Transportation, spent time at the Briggsdale Station, finally retiring from Western Truck Equipment. Dennis spend his free time working with his hands, and enjoyed being in the wilderness: camping, fishing and spending time with his family. Dennis also loved gunsmithing, wood working, learning and participating in Mountain man culture and history, from rendezvous, black powder shooting, and gold panning to crafting his own Mountain man items, including bead work, buckskins, leather working and much more. Dennis was a good man, husband, father, son, and brother. Dennis was kind in too many ways to name. He will be missed but not forgotten. Not many people knew about Dennis's love of cranberries. He enjoyed making his own homemade sauce, pies and cranberry jam. Dennis had a rough, quiet demeanor to most, but when he was with his wife, Florence and their dog, Bella, he was most content. Dennis is survived by his wife, Florence Beal; sons, Douglas Eugene Beal and Danny Joe Beal (Beth); Danny and Beth's three children, Taylor, Ashley and Dustin; sisters, Connie Beal and Peggy Bergman; half-sisters, Janet Frank, Debbie Vedsted, Karen Phillips and Paula Moisio and brothers, Butch Beal of Smithville, MO and George Beal of Ellwood, KS He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Verna Beal and sisters, Donna, Mary, Betty and Patty. A Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Monday, March 27, 2023 followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at the Briggsdale Motor Company, Briggsdale. Interment at Briggsdale Cemetery.