Jerome N. “Shorty” Beddow, age 87, of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the CentraCare Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, February 16, 2026 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Kevin Soenneker officiating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.
Jerome Noel Beddow was born on December 23, 1938, to Eldred and Evelyn (Lind) Beddow. He graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1957 where he lettered in three sports: football, basketball, and track. He was captain of both the basketball and track teams. Shorty enlisted in the National Guard in 1958 and served on active duty. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and advanced training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. On August 13, 1960, he was united in marriage to Renee Koczur at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Holdingford, Minnesota. Together, they were blessed with five children.
Shorty graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree and later earned his Master’s degree from North Dakota State University in 1970. He also completed an additional year of coursework in subjects that interested him. He began his career in education teaching math in Upsala for two years before serving as the school’s secondary principal for seven years. He then served as assistant principal of the senior high in Little Falls for four years prior to becoming principal at the senior high in Sauk Centre, a position he held for 12 years. He later served as Community Education and West Central Education Director for six years before retiring in 1995. In January 1996, he began working at Patton-Schad Funeral Home as a funeral assistant, retiring in 2023.
Shorty was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, member and served as president of the Lions Club, one of the founders of Dollars for Scholars, and a member of MASSP (Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals). He enjoyed golfing, pontooning, antique restoration, playing cards with friends, and attending his grandchildren’s events.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 65 years, Renee Beddow; children, Dan (Patty) of Sauk Centre, David (Janet) of Lino Lakes, Julie (Chris) Beddow-Schubert of Mission Viejo, California, Janelle (Tom) Van Erp of Battle Lake, and Jolaine Beddow-Beste of St. Cloud; 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; brother, Russell Beddow of Crosby; sister, Doris (Jim) Olson of Crosby; and many nieces and nephews.
Shorty was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Abby Beddow; and brothers and sister, Eldred Jr., Darrel, Renee LaSart, and Greg.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.
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