ODIN — Gerald W. “Jerry” Beran, 88, died May 21, 2015, at Almost Home, Great Bend.  He was born Sept. 9, 1926, on the farm in Odin, the son of Anton A. and Hattie Rose (Prosser) Beran. He graduated from Odin High School in 1944 and later enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After returning from the military, Jerry played professional baseball for the Hutchinson Elks.
A lifetime resident of Odin, Jerry was a farmer and stockman. He was also the co-founder of B & D Herefords, a Garst Seed Salesman, a State Farm Crop Hail Salesman, and originally built, owned, and operated the Odin Store.
He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, V.F.W. of Hoisington, and the American Legion of Claflin. He also served on the Beaver Grain Board of Directors, was a trustee on the Cheyenne Township and had served as a Barton County Commissioner.
He loved baseball and helped coach many teams including Little League, Cookie League, Town Team and American Legion Baseball.
 On Oct. 25, 1950, he married Elvita M. Dolechek, in Dubuque, Kansas. She survives.
Other survivors include five sons, Robin Beran and wife Anne of Peoria, Illinois, Gerald Beran Jr. and wife Lisa of Odin, Terry “Tex” Beran and wife Ada of Russell, Kevin Beran of Odin, and Craig Beran and wife Michelle of Odin; a daughter, Joy Hertach and husband Tim of Claflin; daughter-in-law, Kristi Beran of Odin; daughter of the heart, Jane Schreiber and husband Rick of Beaver; sisters, Viola Leach of San Marcos, Calif., Alice Dolechek and husband Vince of Dubuque; brothers, Leon “Lee” Beran and wife Judy of Emporia, Anthony “Tony” Beran of Aurora, Colo.; 16 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Eric R. Beran; and three brothers, Gene, Joe, and Bob Beran.
Vigil with rosary will be at 7 p.m. Monday, May 25, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Odin. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Interment will follow in Holy Family Cemetery with military honors conducted by the U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard. Friends may call 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Memorials may be made to Claflin Ambulance Service, Holy Family Statue Restoration Fund, or Holy Family Cemetery Fund in care the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.


Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home*
P.O. Box 146, 415 N. Main
Hoisington, KS 67544  
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 24, 2015