The Richmond News, July 24, 2026

Kurt Beckemeier

Kurt Christian Beckemeier, 85, of Richmond went to be with his savior Tuesday, July 14, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. He was born Sept. 25, 1940, in St. Louis, the son of Charles Wehking Beckemeier and Alvina Dorathea (Borcherding) Beckemeier. As a young boy, Kurt attended elementary school at Chase School in Cherry Valley Township and later school years at the Lutheran Day School in Norborne. Kurt graduated in 1958 from Norborne High School.

For two years, he attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, where he was part of the basketball team his freshman year.

From 1963 to 2001, Kurt worked in mechanical maintenance as a machinist with the United Steelworkers Union at Armco/GST Steel Cos. in Kansas City. He then worked from 2005 to 2015 at United Suppliers, where he delivered farm chemicals throughout the state of Missouri.

Kurt was a devout man, baptized Oct. 27, 1940, at Messiah Lutheran Church in St. Louis and confirmed April 11, 1954, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Norborne. As a faithful member of Trintiy Lutheran, Kurt served as an elder, a member of the finance board and a Sunday school superintendent.

Kurt met the great love of his life, Cynthia (Cindy) Mace, while living in Hardin. They were married on June 4, 1983, at Trinity Lutheran in Norborne. The loving couple resided on the family farm in Hardin, where they were blessed with two sons, Eric Christian Beckemeier and Karl Wehking Beckemeier.

Kurt and Cindy remained members of Trinity Lutheran until 2016, when they moved to Richmond. In Richmond, they became members of Faith Lutheran Church, and Kurt served as an elder.

Above all, Kurt was a devoted and loving husband, father and friend. Spending time with loved ones and friends was a true joy in his life.

Kurt also was an avid gardener, growing a bountiful garden each summer. His joy of fishing brought home many a good catch!

He greatly enjoyed traveling and watching Mizzou football and basketball with his friends. He had a warm smile, laugh and a steadiness about him that will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Kurt was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Charles Wehking Beckemeier Jr. and William Henry Beckemeier; and sister, Eleanor Ann Sheridan.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia (Cindy) Lynn Beckemeier; first-born son, Eric Beckemeier, and Eric’s wife, Lacey Beckemeier, and his two daughters, Emma and Zoey Beckemeier; and second-born son, Karl Beckemeier, and his wife, Nikki Beckemeier, and their two sons, August and Aiden Beckemeier.

Other survivors include his sisters-in-law, Shirley Beckemeier and Phyllis Beckemeier; brother-in-law, Dr. Paul S. Mace, and his wife DeEtte; nephews, Chuck Kingston and David Beckemeier; nieces, Christine Close, Elizabeth Sheridan and Kaelen Morrill; and so many more beloved relatives and friends.

The family suggests donations be made to Faith Lutheran Church in Richmond, Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Norborne or Shirkey Hospice & Palliative Care. They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home; 507 E. Main St.-P.O. Box 190; Richmond, MO 64085.

Visitation and memorial services were scheduled for Wednesday, July 22, at Faith Lutheran Church in Richmond, with visitation to begin at 10 a.m. and services to follow at 11. Inurnment was to be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Norborne.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Thurman Funeral Home of Richmond.

Please share your memories of Kurt with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.