T. Beaver

T. Max Beaver, age 96 of Wilmot died February 10, 2014, at the Wilmot Care Center.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 14, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmot.

Rev. Dr. DeVern Schwenn will officiate and burial with military honors will be in the Wilmot City Cemetery.

Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from 5 pm – 7 p.m. and continue one hour prior to the service on Friday. Special music will be provided by Sara Wheeler, vocalist.

Casket bearers will be his grandchildren: Jon Hult, Steven Hult, Kelly Ammann, Paul Ammann, Phillip Ammann, Matthew Kranzler, and Eric Kranzler. Honorary bearers will be his grandchildren: Sherry McIntosh, Carol Beaver, Alison Foss, Vicki Bohney, Susan James, Joe Ammann, Sara Wheeler, Ryan Albrecht, and Scott Albrecht.

Tolly Max Beaver was born August 25, 1917, in Wilmot, SD to Oscar T. and Ethel M. (Clawson) Beaver. He attended school in Wilmot and gradated in 1935. He attended the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1939 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture.

Max married Dorene Mae Phillips on April 17, 1938, in Elk Point, SD. They lived in Minneapolis, MN, Britton, SD, Watertown, SD, Corona, SD Wilmot, SD, and Leola, SD throughout their 63 years of marriage. Max worked with the civil service and agricultural related jobs. Dorene died on February 19, 2001.

In the spring of 1944, Max was drafted into the United States Army and served in the South Pacific beginning in January of 1945. He was wounded while on Okinawa. He received a Purple Heart Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, and other medals. After his recovery he continued to serve with the 96th Infantry Division until an honorable discharge in January of 1946.

In 1951 the family moved to their farm west of Wilmot where Max raised Purebred Aberdeen Angus cattle and farmed. While there he taught agricultural classes to veterans and also served in several positions as a member of the Presbyterian Church. For 68 years he has been a member of the American Legion, Drake-Sorbel Post # 64. He was also a member of the V.F.W. Grant County Post #3486.

Due to health reasons there was a move to Leola, SD in 1967. Max was the supervisor for the Farm Home Administration. It was after his wife's death in 2001 that he returned to Wilmot to reside. He lived in his Wilmot apartment until entering the Wilmot Care Center on January 15, 2014.

In 1972 Max was one of the first open heart surgery patients at Dakota Midland Hospital in Aberdeen, SD. He retired at this same time. While recuperating, he began a quest for amateur radio licensing. His call sign of WB0RXF (the 0 is a zero) became known worldwide, as he worked several thousand contacts. He continued ham radio communication using voice and Morse code until recently.

Max had a love of horses his entire life. Family and friends marveled at his riding ability, especially the last few years. His last horseback ride was with a great-granddaughter in July of 2012 at the family farm near Wilmot. He also truly enjoyed walking.

Folks could count on seeing him in Leola, Wilmot, and Hartford Beach State Park putting on lots of miles.
Max's experiences, encouragements, and interests in patriotism, love of animals, the great outdoors, electronics, communication, medical knowledge, and spirituality inspired and influenced many family members in choosing some of their careers and hobbies.

Those left to cherish is memory include one son, Maurice (Ruth Ellen) Beaver of Wilmot, SD; four daughters: Gloria Hult of Beresford, SD; Sharon (Merlyn) Ammann of Wilmot, SD; Lavonne (Stan) Albrecht of Aberdeen, SD; Jane (Ralph) Kranzler of Brandon, SD; and bringing him much joy and pride are 16 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; two nieces; one nephew; all of who greatly loved him and admired him.

Max was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorene; one granddaughter, Mary Ann Ammann; one daughter-in-law, Mary (Dobson) Beaver; one son-in-law, Milton Hult; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ralph and Lillian Phillips; one brother-in-law, Robert Phillips; one sister-in-law, Lucille (Eastman) Phillips Lidbeck, and one nephew, Steven Phillips.