Loren T. Beswick, of Sterling, IL, passed away, Saturday, August 18, 2018, at Liberty Court, Dixon, IL, at the age of 64.
Loren was born October 1, 1953, in Morrison, IL. His parents were Thomas Lorenzo and Marion Nora (Naftzger) Beswick. He married Ann Roberta Gomsrud on October 4, 1986, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sterling. He attended Morrison schools and graduated from Morrison High School. He earned several degrees: Associate in Education from Sauk Valley Community College, Dixon, IL; Western Illinois University (Education, BA), Macomb, IL; Western Illinois University, (Educational Administration, MS.) Loren began his Master’s in Superintendency in Educational Administration at Western Illinois University in the Quad Cities.
He began his educational teaching career at Perry School District, Perry, IL, and continued in Princeton Township District #500, Princeton, IL; CUSD #244 in Galva, IL; CUSD #5 in Sterling, IL; CUSD #6 in Staunton, IL; CUSD #203 in Orangeville, IL, and retired in 2013 from Riverbend School District in Fulton, IL. Loren’s professional affiliations included Member of the Illinois Principal Association, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education, Sterling Education Association, Illinois Coaches Association, and Galva Jaycees.
Loren enjoyed coaching a variety of sports at various educational levels. He also enjoyed coaching his three children at Sterling Park District and YMCA Youth Program. Loren was an avid Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, and Iowa Hawkeye Fan. He as a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and always was proud to be raised Catholic, but most important was to be a Christian. He loved his family, friends, good food, and a good story or joke. As he would leave or pass a person, he tooted his horn and said “Beep Beep, Loren Beswick” or “Adios.”
Survivors include his wife, Ann R. (Gomsrud) Beswick of Sterling; son, Andy (Anna) of Coal Valley, IL, and their four children, Ava, Eli, Dax, and Cade; daughters, Kjerstin (Corbin) Milbrath of North Liberty, IA, and Sarah Beswick of Sterling; two brothers, Paul (Kaywyn) Beswick and their three daughters, Morrison, IL, and Dale Beswick; many cousins; special friends.
Loren was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law, Robert Gomsrud; mother-in-law, Lila Gomsrud; brother-in-law, Ted Gomsrud.
Cremation rites have been accorded.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, September 1, 2018, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sterling, IL, with Pastor Brandon Nelson officiating.
A gathering of family and friends will follow the service at the church, with a luncheon to be served.
Burial will be held at a later date at Graceland Cemetery in Albert Lea, MN.
McDonald Funeral Home in Sterling, IL, is handling arrangements.
A memorial in his memory has been established to St. Paul Lutheran Church.