Dr. Frank V. Beran, age 89 of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 22, 2023 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison, WI. with his wife, Stephanie at his side. Frank left us on the darkest day, (Winter solstice), going toward the light.
Frank was born on May 23, 1934 in Garden City, Iowa. The son of Frank, Sr. and Gertie (Simonsen) Beran. He graduated from Radcliffe High School, Radcliffe, Iowa the Class of 1952. He attended the University of Iowa graduating in 1958 with a B. A. degree. He attended Medical School at University of Iowa graduating in 1960. After graduation, Frank did an Internship at San Bernardino Charity Hospital in California. Frank spent two years in Public Health serving his country on an Indian Reservation in Winnebago, Nebraska. After the service he started his Surgical Residency at Madison General Hospital. He then joined the medical practice of Dr. James Russell and Dr. Henry Aufderhaar in Fort Atkinson, WI.
On April 19, 1975, he married Stephanie (Welter) Beran at Trinity Lutheran Church. They were married 48+ years.
Frank was a beloved physician serving the Fort Atkinson community for over 50 years, retiring in 2009. He truly enjoyed being a doctor. In retirement Frank enjoyed playing cribbage, euchre, putting jigsaw puzzles together, playing golf, and croquet, although you better pay attention to the rules (well Frank’s rules) because they always changed with each game. Frank also started painting, taking classes from Tom Jewell. Inasmuch as all of this gave him pleasure the greater joy was talking on the phone with Greg, lunch with Paul or coffee with Cindy. He was a teacher whether teaching his grandchildren how to play cribbage, croquet, golf or how to be the engineer or conductor on Grandpa’s train set. Frank also shared medical skills with his nurses, Kelly, Ingrid and Jenice.
Spring was his favorite time of the year when the earth started to wake up. His gardens were adorned with beautiful flowers.
He was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Fort Atkinson Lions Club and served as Chief of the Medical Staff at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital 1974-1976.
Surviving to cherish Frank’s memory are his children, Daughter, Cindy (Brandon) Pietruszynski, Stoughton, WI. Sons, Greg (Patricia), Denver, Colorado, and Paul (Patty) Whitewater, WI. Grandchildren: Jeffrey Beran, Nicolas and Sofia Beran, Oliver, Samuel and Milo Pietruszynski. Nieces Paula Bruce, Nevada, Iowa and Pam Brinton, Rogers, Arkansas, many cousins, family, and friends, especially his friend, neighbor and golf partner, E.G. Becker.
He was preceded in death by his parents Frank, Sr. and Gertie Beran, brother and sister-in-law, Virgil and Erma Beran. His in-laws Stephen and Florence Welter.
Funeral service will be on Friday, January 5th, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Atkinson. Visitation at 9 a.m. with service at 11 a.m. Pastor Amy Waelchli presiding. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Salvation Army or Trinity Lutheran Church.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the Med-flight Crew, Dr. Singer, Dr. Megan and MICU nurses especially Amanda, Nicole and Rachel for the exceptional care and kindness they showed to Frank and his family.
Dunlap Memorial Home assisting the family.
A quote from former President Jimmy Carter: “The only things that we can truly give to each other are the only things that we truly need—an ear to listen, a heart to care, a word of encouragement and a hand to help.” This is how Frank lived.
