Jean Beilke

Jean Elizabeth Beilke, 93, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Sheyenne Crossings Care Center with her family at her side.

Jean was born on her family’s farm near Kindred, ND on June 14, 1932, to Carl and Corine (Anderson) Toppen. She was baptized and confirmed at Kindred Lutheran Church and graduated from Kindred High School. Jean worked at Larson Department Store in Kindred for a short time before moving to Fargo, ND to attend Interstate Business College. She went on to work in the bookkeeping department at Dakota Clinic.

Jean married the love of her life, Erwin Beilke, on December 11, 1954. Together they made their home in Fargo and raised three children. Jean became a stay-at-home mother until the kids were in school before starting work part-time as a bookkeeper for Pittsburgh Paints, eventually working for them full-time until her retirement seventeen years later.

Jean and Erwin have been members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church for the last 65 years. Jean taught Sunday School and was a 4-H leader for multiple years. As a young family they experienced several years of camping (locally and throughout the U.S.) prior to purchasing a lake home in 1978. She thoroughly enjoyed her summer weekends at Lake Lida surrounded by family.

Jean and Erwin spent 21 winters in Mesa, AZ and enjoyed meeting new friends (even meeting some of them in the Fall at their homes in different states).
Jean was an excellent cook, seamstress and homemaker. Erwin and Jean enjoyed dancing throughout their married life.

Jean is survived by her husband, Erwin; daughters, Julie (Jason) DuBois, Fargo, and Jamie Hage, Fargo; and son, Terry (Linda) Beilke, Detroit Lakes, MN; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; and brother, Dwaine Toppen, West Fargo.

She is preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, Sheldon Hage; brother, Marlowe Toppen and his wife, Viola Toppen.