Dean Beard

Dean Beard, 81 years, aka Blue Duck, aka King Fish, of Stewartsdale, ND rode into the sunset on February 5, 2024. 

Dean was born to Clarence and Edna (Doehle) Beard on August 7, 1942 in LaPorte, IN. He married Sharon Buchert on February 13, 1968, and they raised four sons. Dean grew up on the family farm west of Moffit, ND, later moving to the farm north of Bismarck, and finally settling south of Bismarck to be closer to "Jim's Arena." Dean's favorite things in life were roping with his grandchildren, a fine horse, and a good Sako rifle. Some of his fondest memories were winning the NDRA Team Roping Finals in 1972 with Bronc Gebhard, working cattle with his boys on Jim Irvines Bar ZX ranch, and riding the grub line.  

After retiring from the ND Highway Department Dean took up "Day Working" for the Don Schwalbe and Rodney Nelson ranches even though they weren't hiring! Dean was able to visit and team rope in his beloved Texas and Arizona.

Dean is survived by his wife, Sharon; his sons and daughters-in-law, Marty and Kris, Bill and Treva, Monte and Angie, and Casey and Ashley; his precious grandchildren, Saje (Logan), Jake (Emily), Chase, Mardi Jo (Garrett), Bailee, Finley, Teagan and his great-grandchildren, Augustus and Ira. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, and many special nieces and nephews. Deans life was also filled with great friends, Jim Irvine, Joel Olson, Don Schwalbe, Gary Gebhard, Esley Thorton, Nathan McGrand, Rodney Nelson, Bruce Benz, Rodney Grenz, Bud Anderson, Clair and Pearl Cullen, Lee Selland, Dale Little Soldier, the entire Enervold and Johnson families, plus many more rodeo and gun trading friends too numerous to mention. Special thanks to his Miller Pointe friends Karen, Judy and the entire loving staff. 

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Edna Beard, his sister, Linda Moen (Cookie), his favorite Aunt Gladys Clark, his in-laws Martin & Thelma Buchert, Beard, Doehle, and Wallace ancestors, and of course his favorite horses, Ol' Joe, Ol' Jiggs, and Darlin'. 

Dean is truly happy now, he's loping on a good horse in stirrup-high grass, and he'll never see -40 below again.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 2 pm at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway Bismarck, ND.