Obituary for Neal "Beef" Noll
Neal “Beef” Noll, age 86, of St. Anthony, MN, formerly of Watertown, SD and Glencoe, MN, died on September 28, 2020 in Roseville, MN, from kidney failure.
“Beef” was born on December 27, 1933, at home in Big Stone City, SD, to Ralph and Agnes Noll. He was the youngest of three children and acquired his nickname from school friends at Big Stone public school where he graduated in 1951. Following high school he worked for the railroad until entering the Army in 1954. After his discharge in 1956, he worked locally and became employed at Big Stone canning factory. During this time, he was also employed as part time Chief of Police in Big Stone City.
On October 8, 1960, he married Judy Kraayenbrink at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ortonville, MN. In 1962, the couple moved to Watertown, SD where they started their family and “Beef” worked for the Pepsi Cola bottling company as a sales/service rep. In 1967, the family relocated to Glencoe, MN where “Beef” made his career with Green Giant company as a skilled mechanic, specializing in closing machines.
In 1991, the couple returned to Watertown, SD for their retirement years.
He enjoyed participating in athletics in high school, was a hunter as a young man, and always an avid reader. While in Glencoe, MN, he was a member of the Reserve Police force for many years and active with the Lions club, and volunteered with the Glencoe Brewers (town baseball team).
During his retirement years, “Beef” became a dog lover, adoring his Sadie and then, Pepsi. He volunteered as an usher for funerals at his church and at Christmastime, made many batches of his popular peanut brittle for family and friends. While in Watertown, he was a volunteer driver for the Veterans Service Office, driving veterans to medical appointments. “Beef” always enjoyed playing cards and participated in various card groups over the years, including a cribbage group at his retirement community until recent months.
The couple loved to travel and eventually visited most of the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska.
In 2017, the couple sold their home in South Dakota and moved to a senior apartment in St. Anthony, MN, enabling them to be closer to family.
He was currently a member of Church of the Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights, MN and a life member of the VFW and American Legion.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, Judy; children, Debra of New Brighton, MN; Chuck (Kelli) of Melrose MN; Peter (Jason Shroyer) of Jackson, TN; grandson, Seth Noll; granddaughter, Lindsey Hinnenkamp (Jacob); brother-in-law, Joe Kraayenbrink (Patty); and cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.
“Beef” was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Patricia; his parents; a brother, Robert; and his sister, Virginia.
And, as “Beef” frequently said when bidding farewell, “You be good now.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to Glacial Lakes Humane Society, PO Box 1701, Watertown, SD 57201 or the U of MN Foundation, for the Tessman/Christiansen 4H Fund #6065 , P.O. Box 860266, Minneapolis, MN 55486.
Due to COVID, services will be private for immediate family, with funeral mass in Columbia Heights, MN with O'Halloran & Murphy Funeral Home in MN serving the family.
Interment will be at St. Charles Cemetery, rural Big Stone City, SD with Padre David officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Big Stone American Legion Gertje-VanLith Post 229 and the SD Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team. Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown, SD serving the family.
“Beef” was born on December 27, 1933, at home in Big Stone City, SD, to Ralph and Agnes Noll. He was the youngest of three children and acquired his nickname from school friends at Big Stone public school where he graduated in 1951. Following high school he worked for the railroad until entering the Army in 1954. After his discharge in 1956, he worked locally and became employed at Big Stone canning factory. During this time, he was also employed as part time Chief of Police in Big Stone City.
On October 8, 1960, he married Judy Kraayenbrink at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ortonville, MN. In 1962, the couple moved to Watertown, SD where they started their family and “Beef” worked for the Pepsi Cola bottling company as a sales/service rep. In 1967, the family relocated to Glencoe, MN where “Beef” made his career with Green Giant company as a skilled mechanic, specializing in closing machines.
In 1991, the couple returned to Watertown, SD for their retirement years.
He enjoyed participating in athletics in high school, was a hunter as a young man, and always an avid reader. While in Glencoe, MN, he was a member of the Reserve Police force for many years and active with the Lions club, and volunteered with the Glencoe Brewers (town baseball team).
During his retirement years, “Beef” became a dog lover, adoring his Sadie and then, Pepsi. He volunteered as an usher for funerals at his church and at Christmastime, made many batches of his popular peanut brittle for family and friends. While in Watertown, he was a volunteer driver for the Veterans Service Office, driving veterans to medical appointments. “Beef” always enjoyed playing cards and participated in various card groups over the years, including a cribbage group at his retirement community until recent months.
The couple loved to travel and eventually visited most of the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska.
In 2017, the couple sold their home in South Dakota and moved to a senior apartment in St. Anthony, MN, enabling them to be closer to family.
He was currently a member of Church of the Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights, MN and a life member of the VFW and American Legion.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, Judy; children, Debra of New Brighton, MN; Chuck (Kelli) of Melrose MN; Peter (Jason Shroyer) of Jackson, TN; grandson, Seth Noll; granddaughter, Lindsey Hinnenkamp (Jacob); brother-in-law, Joe Kraayenbrink (Patty); and cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.
“Beef” was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Patricia; his parents; a brother, Robert; and his sister, Virginia.
And, as “Beef” frequently said when bidding farewell, “You be good now.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to Glacial Lakes Humane Society, PO Box 1701, Watertown, SD 57201 or the U of MN Foundation, for the Tessman/Christiansen 4H Fund #6065 , P.O. Box 860266, Minneapolis, MN 55486.
Due to COVID, services will be private for immediate family, with funeral mass in Columbia Heights, MN with O'Halloran & Murphy Funeral Home in MN serving the family.
Interment will be at St. Charles Cemetery, rural Big Stone City, SD with Padre David officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Big Stone American Legion Gertje-VanLith Post 229 and the SD Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team. Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown, SD serving the family.