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Berkley Warren Bedell

Birth	:	5 Mar 1921 Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	7 Dec 2019 Naples, Collier County, Florida, USA
Burial	:	Bedell Gravesite, Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate	:	43.4128430, -95.0773690
Inscription	:	At the request of Elinor & Berkley Bedell who donated the land for this park, their cremation ashes are buried at this spot. Elinor & Berkley Bedell Gravesite
Description	:	Politician, US. Congressman, Entrepreneur. Berkley Warren Bedell represented Iowa District 06 from 1975 to 1987 in the US House of Representatives. He married Elinor Healy in 1943, and together they raised two sons and a daughter who survive. Berkley brand fishing supplies, an enterprise he founded in his parents' basement, continues to be a leader in the fishing field. Berkley remained active in politics until his death which came on December 7, 2019 at the age of 98, from the effects of a stroke. A celebration of life is scheduled for July 24, 2020, at Spirit... Read More	Politician, US. Congressman, Entrepreneur. Berkley Warren Bedell represented Iowa District 06 from 1975 to 1987 in the US House of Representatives. He married Elinor Healy in 1943, and together they raised two sons and a daughter who survive. Berkley brand fishing supplies, an enterprise he founded in his parents' basement, continues to be a leader in the fishing field. Berkley remained active in politics until his death which came on December 7, 2019 at the age of 98, from the effects of a stroke. A celebration of life is scheduled for July 24, 2020, at Spirit Lake, Iowa. ~Berkley Warren Bedell, age 98, passed away on December 7, 2019 three days after suffering a massive stroke in Naples, FL. A third generation of Spirit Lake, IA, he was born on March 5, 1921. Growing up with two loving parents, Walter and Virginia Bedell and a younger brother, Jack, his life was filled with fishing, hunting, and hanging out with the South Side Gang – a harmless group of neighborhood friends who loved fishing, hunting and the magical life in a small town surrounded by lakes and wildlife. In 1937, while still in high school, he began tying fishing flies and selling them in a local tackle shop. With the encouragement of his family, his natural entrepreneurial instincts encouraged him to develop fishing leaders and the beginning of what became Berkley & Co. He attended Iowa State University where he met the love of his life, Elinor Healy. He continued his fishing tackle business until World War II called. Joining the Army Air Corps, he became a flight instructor. Elinor and Berkley were married August 29, 1943. After the war, Berk and Elinor returned to Spirit Lake and restarted Berkley & Co which grew rapidly. From Steelon leaders to Trilene fishing line, Berkley's inventiveness introduced new and better products into the fishing tackle market, enabling him to employ hundreds of local people and home workers. The company expanded into multiple locations – finally consolidating into a new factory building on highway 71 where it remains today. In 1964 he has honored by President Lyndon Johnson as the country's first Small Businessman of the Year. Berks was inducted into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, and the Iowa Business Hall of Fame. Berkley was active in community affairs. He was a member of the Spirit Lake United Methodist Church, a founding member of the Spirit Lake Kiwanis Club and a Mason. He served on the Spirit Lake School Board. Many people will recall his mentorship as a Boy Scout leader, the record number of Eagle Scouts and the annual canoe trips to the Boundary Waters. Berk served as the president of the American Fishing Tackle Manufacturing Association, and the Iowa Manufacturing Association. He was active in the Young Presidents Organization. He served on the Board of Trustees of Morningside College, American University, and Claremont School of Theology. In 1974 he was elected to represent Iowa's 6th District in the US Congress. He served for twelve years until his retirement in 1987 because he contracted Lyme's disease. In Congress he served on the Agriculture Committee and chaired the Small Business Committee. He also represented the United States on the UN Convention on Law of the Seas. When his health returned, he lobbied Congress to establish an Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM) in the National Institutes of Health. He served on the advisory board. Becoming frustrated that OAM did not aggressively consider alternate medical practices, he founded the Foundation for Alternative and Integrative Medicine in 1998 which continues today. Berkley contributed in countless ways to the quality of life in the Iowa Great Lakes from co-leading the Save The Park funding drive for Arnolds Park, to being a founding member of the Okoboji Foundation. He and Elinor contributed land to create Elinor Bedell State Park in Spirit Lake , Iowa. While being remembered for his achievements, most people think of Berk for his leadership, his kindness, his compassion and his activeness to make a difference – not just in big causes, but in individual people's lives. He was alive with empathy and always ready to take on injustice. Berkley was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Elinor Healy Bedell, his brother, Jack Bedell, and his parents, Virginia and Walter Bedell. He is survived by three children, Ken Bedell (Kathie) of Westminster, CO, Tom Bedell (Molly) of Bend, OR, and Joanne Quinn (Mike) of Loveland, CO, eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. A visitation will be held at Peace Harbor, 16216 Hwy 86, Spirit Lake, IA 51360 on Friday, July 24th beginning at 5:00 pm. Parking is available across the street. A memorial celebration is planned for July 25, 2020 at the Spirit Lake, IA United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow in Wesley Place.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Berkley Warren Bedell's memorial?
Berkley Warren Bedell's memorial is located at: Bedell Gravesite, Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, USA.
When did Berkley Warren Bedell death?
Berkley Warren Bedell death on 7 Dec 2019 in Naples, Collier County, Florida, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Berkley Warren Bedell's memorial?
Latitude: 43.4128430
Longitude: -95.0773690

Family Members:

Parent

Walter Berkley Bedell

(1894 - 1963)

Virginia Viola Price Bedell

(1895 - 1975)

Spouse

Elinor Margaret Healy Bedell

(1923 - 2017)

Siblings

Jack Harold Bedell

(1923 - 2016)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Bedell Gravesite
Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4128430, -95.0773690

2. Rose Hill Cemetery (Defunct)
Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4077600, -95.0976130

3. Lakeview Gardens Cemetery
Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3925000, -95.1119000

4. Saint Albans Episcopal Church Columbarium
Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4175000, -95.1222000

5. Lakeview Cemetery
Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4239006, -95.1213989

6. Saint Margaret Cemetery
Orleans, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4450130, -95.1130370

7. Spirit Lake Memorial Gardens
Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4227982, -95.1331024

8. Okoboji Cemetery
Arnolds Park, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3649406, -95.1303558

9. Pioneer Cemetery
Arnolds Park, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3655000, -95.1403000

10. Gardner Family Cemetery
Arnolds Park, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3654410, -95.1403480

11. Richland Township Cemetery
Terril, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3565323, -94.9927821

12. Superior Township Cemetery
Superior, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4399986, -94.9533005

13. Loon Lake Cemetery
Jackson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5249672, -95.0949554

14. Calvary Cemetery
Milford, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3213997, -95.1688995

15. Milford Cemetery
Milford, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3092003, -95.1481018

16. Union State Line Cemetery
Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4928017, -94.9156036

17. Fairview Cemetery
Terril, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2977982, -94.9349976

18. Petersburg Cemetery
Jackson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5224991, -94.9182968

19. Holy Trinity Lutheran Cemetery
Lakefield, Jackson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5562920, -95.1868880

20. Oak Hill Cemetery
Estherville, Emmet County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3986015, -94.8518982

21. Saint John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery
Jackson, Jackson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5584540, -95.1829330

22. Excelsior Township Cemetery
Milford, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3565000, -95.2907000

23. Silver Lake Cemetery
Lake Park, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4441986, -95.3078003

24. Little Sioux Lutheran Cemetery
Milford, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2702065, -95.2109528