Eldred Bechard

Eldred James Bechard was born on April 13, 1927 in Aurora, Kansas to Edward Orvel Bechard and Goldie Mae (Maisch) Bechard. He went to school in Nebraska City, then his family moved to Iowa in 1936. Eldred worked on the farm in Grand Junction all his life. He loved to plant tomato seeds and watch them grow. Eldred married Tita Benaso in 2008 in Grand Junction. They moved to Boone when Eldred retired, and they started attending the Sacred Heart Church there. He was a hard worker and lived a long and full life. On March 8, 2024 Eldred passed away at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa at the age of 96. Eldred was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Goldie, infant brother Wayne Bechard, and brother-in-law LaVerne Erickson. He is survived by his wife Tita Bechard of Boone, Iowa; his son Nick Bechard of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; his two daughters: Mary Lou Bechard of Rockford, Illinois and Sally Bechard of Boone, Iowa; his grandchildren: Betsy Clayton of Grand Junction, Iowa, Joseph Elsberry of Ames, Iowa, Corey Elsberry of Ogden, Iowa, and Tiffany Berry of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; his sister Ima Lee Erickson of Boone, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Graveside Services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Grand Junction, Iowa. Memorials may be sent to Hastings Funeral Home - P.O. Box #204 – Perry, IA 50220.