John Gilbert Becvar

John Becvar passed away Monday, November 27, 2023 at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale at the age of 87.

John Gilbert Becvar was born April 4, 1936 to Charles and Pauline (Kubat) Becvar in Pine City, Minnesota.

John grew up on his parents farm "The Becvar Homestead" on Cedar Creek Road in Chengwanta Township, with his brother Fredrick Becvar and sister Delores (Tootz) Becvar Thompson. John married his high school sweetheart Patricia Ann Gebert on January 24, 1956. Together John and Pat raised three sons Jeffrey, John C. (Jack) and Jay Becvar. 

John served in various capacities in the Minnesota National Guard with Battery “C” 257 AAA Gun Battalion, Battery “B” 2nd Howitzer Bn 125th Artillery all from 1956-1962.

John in his youth worked on the family farm until he moved to Biwabik to work at the Mesabi Iron Range Taconite Plant. Returning to Pine City as a welder and machinist for his father-in-law John Gebert. He then moved to Wausau, Wisconsin to work at the Wausau Iron Works and Connor Lumber and Land as both in maintenance tech and supervisor positions. 

In 1973, John and Pat with family moved back to Pine City and bought the local Ace Hardware store. Both John and Pat retired after owning and operating JB’s Hardware Hank for 35 years to their 40 acre hobby farm in Chengwatana Township.

John was a father that liked to be adventurous and those that knew him and spent time with him knew he loved to fish, hunt and scuba dive. He loved his kids and his grandkids. He was involved with little league, pony league and Boy Scout activities for his boys. He loved tinkering with his projects, inventions and beekeeping. He was a Mason and a Shriner and served proudly.

John is survived by his sons Jeffrey Sr. (Edith) Becvar, Jay (Karla Jean) Becvar; 8 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; great-great-grandson; brothers Fredrick Becvar of Gladstone, Missouri, Greg Becvar of Washington; many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Pauline Becvar; loving wife Pat of 65 years; son John Charles Becvar; great-grandson Daniel Peszeki of Godollo, Hungary; sister Delores (Tootz) Thompson.

Pastor Bruce Thompson will officiate funeral services for John:  11 AM; Saturday, December 9, 2023 at the Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City with one hour of visitation prior to the service at the chapel. The interment will take place in Union Cemetery, Hustletown in Chengwatana Township, Pine City.

Memorials in honor of John’s memory may be directed to the Jasper Masonic Lodge #164, P.O. Box 454, Rush City, MN 55069-0454

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City ~ Swanson Chapel www.FuneralAndCremationService.com