V arner Beals, 83, of Fairfax, SD passed away on Monday, April 24, 2017, at the Avera Gregory Hospital in Gregory, SD.  Funeral service will be held on Friday, April 28, 2017, at 11:00am at the Fairfax City Hall.  Burial will follow in the Rosebud Cemetery in Bonesteel, SD.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to funeral service on Friday.

Varner Zalmon Beals, affectionately known by his loved ones as VZ, lived a long and happy life of 83 years. Varner passed away on Monday, April 24, 2017, with his living children by his side. He will be welcomed by his beloved wife, Barbara whom he was married to for 52 years, his son, Gary, and his parents JD and Gladys Beals.

Varner worked with his father in the bee business at a young age. His family lived in Northern Minnesota during the summer and Southern Texas in the winter. Varner grew up in Harlingen, Texas, and graduated from Harlingen Senior High School in 1952. In 1953 Varner was drafted into the Army during the Korean Conflict. He served in the Army as a photographer for two years.

Varner met his future wife, the love of his life, Barbara Schatz, at a USO dance while stationed in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Varner has been known to clear a dance floor with his moves. He used these moves to capture the heart of Barbara. Varner and Barbara were united in marriage on July 2, 1955. They lived in New Jersey for a couple of years before moving to Texas were the resided for 2 more years. Varner wasn't fond of New Jersey and Barbara wasn't fond of Texas. They agreed to a compromise when a bee business became available in South Dakota. Fairfax became their home in 1961. They had seven children who were the loves of their lives: Jim, Sue, Debbie, Gary, Cindy, Vicki, and Robbie.

Varner's greatest enjoyments were time spent as a father, grandfather, great-grandfather and husband. He was passionate about his family, his bees, his dogs (who were all known simply as Bud), his gardens, and his flower plants.

Anyone that knew Varner referred to him as a character and would talk about their favorite Varner stories. His family and friends will remember Varner's stories for a long time.

Grateful for having shared his life are:

• Jim and wife Jan of Houston, TX, and daughters Jonell, and Jacqui and husband Dan
• Sue of Fairfax, SD, and sons Jordan and wife Mia, and Jesse
• Debbie and husband Russ of Rapid City, SD, daughter Angie and husband Doug, and son Austin
• Cindy and husband Jerry of Norfolk, NE, and children Kendra and daughter Caydence, Bret and fiancé Shannon, Jeremy and wife Misty and son Jack, Sarah Jo and husband Nate and son Rylan
• Vicki and husband Matt of Rapid City, SD, and children Jenna, Drew, and Tod
• Robbie and wife Rhonda of Rapid City, SD, and sons Colton and Cayden

Varner's siblings are brother Duane, of Wolsey, SD, his twin sister Idel of Huron, SD, his sister Judy of NE, and his sister Eleanor of Arkansas.

Varner was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Eleanor on May 9, 2016, his son Gary Richard on July 22, 1965, and his beloved wife Barbara on September 19, 2007.