Frances Beckel Landwehr

Frances Mary Landwehr, 105 amazing years old, passed away in her home on Friday, May 21, 2021. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren all had a chance to spend time with her and care for her over the past few months as she prepared to go to heaven, meet the Lord, and be reunited with her husband, Richard, who passed in February of 2012.

Born on Sept 21, 1915, in St Henry, Minnesota (Le Sueur County) Fran was the eldest of 7 children of Jacob and Mary (Tambornino) Beckel. Being the oldest brought responsibility, which was a hallmark of her entire life. She was pragmatic, hardworking, capable, and always put her family first. As a young girl, in addition to her duties on the Beckel farm, she helped financially support her parents and siblings by taking on work for families who had vacation homes on nearby Lake Washington. During the war when Rich was in the service, she ran a small grocery store with her in-laws, and lived above the store with them. Think of that as a newlywed! 

She attended the District 100 Blue Earth/Le Sueur County school followed by Saints Peter and Paul grade school. She went on to Good Counsel Academy where she graduated in 1933. She married Richard Sylvester Landwehr on August 18, 1941, and started a 70-year union with him. She was a consummate homemaker, cooking, housekeeping, teaching, nursing, disciplining, and supporting her four children. She was there for every sporting event, music event, class play, or any other activity her children participated in. Fran served on the board of “Meals on Wheels” for many years and various other volunteer positions. She was an avid knitter, a bridge player and a friend to many. Even late in life, she developed new friendships, including the wonderful neighbors on Crystal Lane who loved her and watched over her.  

All of her children were blessed to be the center of her universe. But even more important to her was her dedication to her faith, attending Mass regularly up until the 2020 pandemic took away that opportunity. She and Rich were lifelong members of Saints Peter and Paul parish, sending all of their children to SSPP grade school and Loyola High School. Responding to a comment from the parish pastor about the need to preserve the history of SSPP, Frances and Rita Masberg took on the task of establishing the Heritage Room, spending thousands of hours reviewing, cataloging and displaying the historic artifacts of the church.  

A funeral mass will be held at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church at 11:00AM on Friday, May 28, 2021. Visitation will be in the church vestibule starting 1 hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery followed by a luncheon at the Mankato Golf Club. 

Fran is survived by her four children, Richard (Mary Ellen Powers) of Rochester MN, Steven (Barb Ohland) of Destin, FL, Roger (Diane Underland) of Mankato, and Susan (Jim) Marshall of St. Louis Park, MN. She also leaves behind 8 grandchildren, Brent (Tasha) Landwehr, Chrissa (Joe) Sheehy, Elizabeth (Nate) Mullikin, John (Kristin) Landwehr, Megan (Mark) Heydt, Brian (Jen) Landwehr, Colleen (Eric) Teynor, and Shannon Landwehr. She is also survived by one sister, Jacqueline Dulas of rural Medford, 16 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  

She was preceded in death by her husband of over 70 years, Richard S. Landwehr, her parents, Jacob and Mary (Tambornino) Beckel, and 5 of her 6 siblings, Emmet Beckel, Margaret VanArsdale, Bob Beckel, Paul Beckel, and John Beckel. 

Memorials are preferred to the Landwehr Scholarship fund thru the SCHOLA Foundation, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, or directly to the Loyola school system. Funeral arrangements are being made by Mankato Mortuary. A very special thanks from the family goes out to the Mayo Hospice program and Freedom Home Care.