Obituary of Allan Paul Beke

Allan Paul Beke was born in Kipling, SK, the youngest of the four children of Alexander and Esther Beke. His siblings were Margaret (Elmore) Taylor, Edith (Cliff) Linnen and John (Beth) Beke.  Allan’s dad immigrated to Canada from Hungary as a young man and married Esther Shoemaker, who was born and raised in the Kipling area.  Both parents were hard working, managing market gardens, a dairy farm operation - delivering milk to the doors of the townspeople of Kipling, and later grain farming.  All family members had jobs to do in these enterprises, and it is said the youngest, being Allan, got away with much less work than his older siblings. Perhaps Allan made up for this in later years as he, his brother John, and father-in-law, Leonard Richmond continued to operate the Beke grain farming partnership through to 1999.

After completion of schooling in Kipling, John, then Allan, a year later, came to Regina to attend Regina College to commence their Bachelor of Arts Degree programs. Their eldest sister, Margaret, who was a teacher by then, moved to Regina so John and Allan would have a place to stay and have someone to cook for them.  After their individual years at Regina College, John and Allan continued their education at the University of Saskatchewan to obtain their Bachelor of Arts and Law Degrees.  Again Margaret, caring for her younger brothers, found a teaching job in Saskatoon and extended her oversight and assistance to them during their initial years there at university.  They would not have been able to afford university if it was not for her generosity and sacrifice.  Margaret, until her passing in recent years, always kept in touch weekly, checking on how they were doing and offering her continued support.

Allan completed his Bachelor of Arts in 1957 and his Bachelor of Law in 1960.  He articled at the firm, Johnson Bayda Trudelle.   Allan’s law practice continued for the next 51 years in Regina in association with a variety of colleagues, and at his sub-office in Kipling, once a week.  He closed the Beke Law Firm in 2012.   Allan never complained about going to work.  

Allan married Joyce in 1965, the start of 58 years together.  He is survived by Joyce; their three children Graham (Debra) Beke, Jocelyn (Robert) Reimer and Timothy (Nancy) Beke; and grandchildren: Caleb (Alyssa) , Joshua, Elizabeth, Joy-Lyn (Isaac), Austin, Julia, Sarah, Mary, Jacob, Joseph and Xavier.  Allan is also survived by his brother Dr.  John Beke, presently of Calgary, AB; brother-in-law, Dr. Ronald (Roberta) Richmond; as well as cousins and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents; sisters Margaret (Elmore) Taylor of Glen Ellyn, Illinois and Edith (Clifford) Linnen, of Kelowna, BC; and parents-in-law, Leonard and Ethel Richmond of Kipling 

Allan made a personal decision to follow Jesus Christ early in his life.  Because he personally experienced forgiveness of sin, physical healing, and abiding peace in his heart. Through his relationship with Jesus, Allan often shared this Good News with people he met.  Allan encouraged many couples in their marriage to reconcile and resolve conflicts through confession of faults and extending/receiving forgiveness for those faults.  He served as a church elder for many years at the Regina Apostolic Church and rarely missed attending church services, Bible studies or prayer meetings.  He was a founding and ongoing executive member of the Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship, Regina Chapter.  Through that venue, he had the opportunity to invite many colleagues and individuals to hear the testimonies of a wide range of guest speakers describing their path of decision to follow Christ, experiencing the power of His Spirit in a variety of ways.  

Perhaps due to his rural roots, Allan always enjoyed country drives, often expressing appreciation for the beauty of God’s creation around him.  He was a surprisingly fast runner, even into his 50’s often surprising opposing teams in the Regina Law softball league.  Allan and Joyce truly enjoyed the company of their children, their spouses, and their grandchildren; and that enjoyment proved to be mutual with regular large family gatherings most often occurring at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  His greatest joy has been to see his family love and serve his Lord Jesus.

Outside of Allan’s law practice and Church related involvements, he also made a number of meaningful community contributions over the years.  These include:

• giving non-credit lectures at the University of Regina on the subject of Narcotics and the Law.
• he was a past Director of Family Service Bureau. 
• he originated and introduced to the Western Canadian Farm Progress Show, the “New Inventions” Division.
• he was an early committee member instrumental in the establishment of the Regina Christian School

In recent months, Allan attended the Adult Day Program, twice a week at Wascana Rehabilitation Centre.  Nicole and Sheri and their support staff served Allan with kindness, respect and support.  It was greatly appreciated.  In recent years, the “Southland Mall Coffee Group” became a dear source of friendship (and exercise).  We are thankful to the many friends, neighbours, colleagues, and caregivers who extended love and care to Allan and his family over many years.

He will be deeply missed by his family and his best friend, Joyce!

A Celebration of Allan’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Regina Apostolic Church, 808 Assiniboine Avenue East, Regina, SK. For those not able to attend, a livestream may be viewed at https://youtube.com/live/b0WVTIE9c1o.