August 21, 1928 – April 7, 2025

Willis Beckering, 96, of Santa Ana, Calif., was born on August 21, 1928, in Edgerton, Minnesota, to Ernest and Gertrude (Van Essen) Beckering. He graduated from Edgerton High School; attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for his BS degree; attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, for his Master’s degree; and studied an additional two years at Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa.

Willis was united in marriage to Verla Kooiman on April 20, 1950, and they were blessed with four children. Willis was a research chemist at the Energy Technology Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota, for 28 years. After retirement, they moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 1983.  

During his retirement Willis spent time doing computer programming and various types of computer repair. He and Verla spent a number of winters working with Wycliffe Bible Associates in Tucson, Arizona, and Dallas, Texas. He was a lifetime member of the Christian Reformed Church where he served faithfully in various positions.

Willis and Verla enjoyed their trips to visit their children and grandchildren.  They shared many special occasions together including birthdays, weddings, baptisms, sports events, musical and drama activities, and graduations. In 2012 they moved to Washington Crossing in Sioux Falls.

Willis died April 7, 2025. Interment will be at the Leota Cemetery in Leota, Minnesota.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Verla; children, Leanne VanderHart of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Terry (Nina) Beckering of Irvine, Calif.; Todd (Noni) Beckering of Minneapolis, Minn.; Donita (Jack) Opgenorth of Flower Mound, Tex.; 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Willis was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter Nanette VanderHart, daughter-in-law Gail Beckering, son-in-law Jerry Heidenreich, and siblings Jeanette (John) Kuiper, Raymond (Harriet) Beckering, and Gladys (Rem) Landhuis.