Bret Eugene Beavans

Bret Eugene Beavans, age 66, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, at Logan Health Assisted Living in Shelby. A memorial service celebrating Bret’s life will be held on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 11:00 am at Shelby Community United Methodist Church. Please visit Bret’s online memorial and leave a message of condolence for the family at www.asperfh.com.

Bret was born June 25, 1959, to Betty and Dessel Beavans in Hartford City, Indiana, where he lived on a farm. He lived in Sheldon, Illinois, for a time as a young child and moved to Ankeny, Iowa, at age 4, where he spent the rest of his childhood years. During his time at Ankeny High School, Bret proudly served as the equipment manager for the football and wrestling teams. He maintains a close relationship with Coach Pete Brejcha, who describes Bret as a great manager, still remembered by all his teammates. After graduating, he and his mother, Betty, moved to Des Moines, where he worked in Dietary at Iowa Methodist Hospital.

In 1992, Bret moved to Special K Ranch, a Christian home for adults with developmental disabilities near Columbus, MT. Bret enjoyed Special Olympic sports, including downhill skiing, bowling, and basketball. He earned many individual basketball shooting and team medals. Special Olympics meant so much to him that he was one of the top sellers of truck raffle tickets each year.

Bret had a safe, wonderful life at the ranch where he had meaningful work, many friends & activities, as well as caring Christian house parents. The staff at Special K Ranch helped nurture and strengthen Bret’s deep faith in God throughout his years there.

Due to declining health, Bret retired from Special K in November 2022 and moved to the Heritage Center, an assisted living facility, in Shelby, MT. He was already well acquainted with residents, staff, and much of the whole town of Shelby due to many visits over the years. Bret was very active at the Heritage Center (Logan Health Shelby ALF) and participated in most of the activities; his favorites were communion, Bible Study, and bingo! He became very fond of the caring assisted living staff. Some held an extra special place in his heart (you know who you are)! He was well-loved in Shelby and was loving to everyone in return.

Bret cherished trips to the family cabin near Seeley Lake, where his favorite thing was to ride on the boat with his nieces and nephews. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed NASCAR, and he faithfully followed the Detroit Tigers, Pistons, and Lions. He had an infamous rivalry with Mike Oberg and his love of the Chicago Bears. He was the number one fan of the Shelby Coyotes, often heard shouting out for his favorite players. He loved to tease, had a great smile for everyone, and was always appreciative of his multitude of friends. No matter where life took Bret, he always made a lasting impression on the people he met.

Bret was preceded in death by his father, Dessel Beavans; his stepfathers, Richard Orendorff and Joe Hoeksema; his nephew, Michael Richman; and his mother, Betty Hoeksema.

He is survived by his sister, Linda (Wayne) Hodges; nephews Jon (Nicole) Hodges and Mark (Bailey) Hodges; sister, Judy Richman; niece, Laurie (Joe) O’Leary; nephew, Douglas (Tracy) Richman; brother-in-law, Robert Richman; and great-nieces and nephews, Jon Paul, Courtney, Patrick, Nicholas, and Sloane Hodges; Grant, Spencer, Ellie, and Kenzie O’Leary; and Randon, Addison, and Marshall Richman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Special K Ranch, PO Box 479, Columbus, MT 59019, or Logan Health Shelby Assisted Living (designated to the Activity Fund).

The service can be viewed live by following this link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84003697755