John Richard Beardmore

John R. Beardmore, 60, of Waukon, IA, died Sunday, December 13, 2015, at his home in Waukon. Visitation will be held Sunday, December 20th from 1:00 to 2:30 PM at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon followed by a memorial service at 2:30 PM officiated by Pastor Paul Burgess. Burial of ashes will be at a later date in Mt. Hope Cemetery in rural New Albin, IA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Hope Cemetery.

John Richard Beardmore was born on May 23, 1955, in Waukon, IA, the son of Glenn Earl and Rae Joan (Holthusen) Beardmore. He was baptized at home and confirmed at Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church. John attended the English Bench rural school and Dorchester School before graduating from Waukon High School in 1973. He continued his education at North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND, where he earned a technical degree. For many years John was the owner/operator of "Big Dipper", a refuse collection business in North and South Dakota and Minnesota that he founded. He eventually sold the business to Waste Management and became one of their regional sales directors. John married Kathy Dohrer on August 30, 1974. He was later married to So Kim Lach. John has lived in Waukon, IA the past seven years.

John was involved in the community wherever he lived. While in high school he volunteered by helping with the special education class. Later in Wahpeton, North Dakota, he was very active with Special Olympics and organized numerous successful fundraisers with sports celebrity participants. He was also a regular with the Rotary and Optimists Clubs. An accomplished singer, John sang with America's Youth in Concert at Town Hall in New York City in 1973. He shared his talents at local events such as weddings and funerals and once sang at a Vikings football game in the dome in Minneapolis. When he did have some time he enjoyed playing golf and staying in touch with his many diverse contacts. He enjoyed traveling and his entrepreneurial ventures took him to Europe, Russia, Africa and throughout the United States . He also loved hosting and entertaining family and friends at his lake home in Alexandria, MN.

Survivors include his mother Rae Beardmore of Waukon, IA; his siblings George (Helen) Beardmore, of Dorchester , Barb (Larry) White, of Waukon, Joan (Steve) Malm of Granger, IN, and James (Rebecca) Beardmore of Caledonia, MN; as well as 13 nieces and nephews and 7 great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Glenn.

Honorary bearers are John's nieces and nephews.