Frederick John Beier

life story

One of a kind husband, father, grandfather, and friend

Frederick John Beier of Edina, MN, died on November 9, 2025, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Fred was born in Chicago, IL, on November 15, 1938, to Josef and Maria Beier, who were immigrants. Fred’s parents and only brother, Joe, died before he was 16 years old, shaping his worldview and commitment to family. He married the love of his life, Betty Valerie Lingenfelser, in 1961, and they moved to Columbus, OH, where they started their family, and Fred attended The Ohio State University for his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Fred and Betty settled in Minneapolis, where he was a faculty member and administrator at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management until his retirement in 2002. They raised their children, Joseph, Mary, and Margaret (also known as Gretel), in South Minneapolis.

Fred balanced his career with a rich and active family and social life. Every morning, he would bring Betty tea and hug her to start her day. He was an engaged, loving, and active father and grandfather. He loved all kinds of fishing (fly and otherwise), traveling, attending the Guthrie theater and Broadway shows, watching classic movies, and rooting for the Cubs, Twins, and Vikings. Highlights included the Twins and Cubs winning the World Series. These adventures were always richer when he shared them with his family and his deep network of lifelong friends, with whom he loved to laugh and have fun (and boy, did they ever have fun!).

Fred was a student of life and a lifelong learner. He felt lucky to be alive and approached every day with curiosity, humor, and humility. He was a man of few words, but those words were always kind and intelligent. In his retirement, Fred became a staunch advocate for education, social justice, and ending gun violence. He volunteered to teach first graders math and reading, endeavored to educate himself about systemic racism, and wrote countless letters to the editor (some published) about gun violence. His last trip was to the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, an experience he shared with his wife and kids.

Fred is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty, his children Joseph Beier (Sarah) of Sandy Hook, CT, Mary Hanson (Jeremy) of Lutsen, MN, and Margaret Beier (Christopher Stickney) of Houston, TX; grandchildren Graham (Kylie) Hanson, Ana (Wade) Sebold, Maddy (Andrew) Hanson, Robert Beier, Annie (Luke) Alder, Lauren Beier, Elise Beier, Lucy Stickney, Liza Stickney; and great-grandchildren Logan and Luke Hanson, and Jackson Sebold. He was preceded in death by his parents Josef and Maria, and his brother Joe.

A celebration of Fred’s life will be held on December 12 at 11 a.m. (visitation at 10 a.m.) at Saint Joan of Arc Church, 4537 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Sandy Hook Promise Foundation (Sandyhookpromise.org, PO Box 3489 Newtown, CT 06470) or to the University of Minnesota Foundation’s Discovery Scholars fund (https://makingagift.umn.edu).

memorial service

Celebration of LIfe

December 12, 2025

St Joan of Arc Catholic Community 4537 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419, USA

Viewing is at 10 a.m.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services