Lou Jean (Moerike) Beranek was born October 28, 1937 to Raymond Moerike and Margaret (Bahm) Moerike at home in Lucas, South Dakota. Lou Jean peacefully passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2026, in Regency Retirement Living in Chamberlain, South Dakota.  Memorial service is pending.

She grew up on the family farm, helping her father milk cows and work in the field from early age on. She worked right alongside the men and boys, where hard work was simply a way of life.

She met James (Jim) Beranek at a dance in Herrick, South Dakota, and from that moment on they were inseparable. They married March 28,1955, and they moved on the Beranek family ranch in Hamill, South Dakota. From the beginning, she worked side by side with Jim to make their place a success. In addition to keeping the books and maintaining a spotless home, she helped care for the livestock, worked in the fields, and assisted with harvest. (She could run the combine better than Jim) Their daughter, Kathy was born from this union.

Lou Jean devoted much of her life to her home and the day-to-day operations, taking pride in keeping everything in order. But once the two grand babies came along, she always made time for them. She also was blessed with the opportunity to spend time with and develop close relationships with her great-grand babies.

Friday lunchtimes were often reserved for time with the ladies, including her sister Dorothy, nieces Debby and Sharon, sister Yvonne, daughter Kathy and granddaughters. You could also find Jim and Lou at the casino on a Friday or Saturday night. Otherwise, she was likely mowing the yard or out on her gator spraying and chopping thistles. Lou Jean took great pride in her yard and the upkeep of the home place. The buildings and fences were always painted, and weeds were kept to a minimum. She didn't have many hobbies besides her grandchildren or work on the ranch, but she had a special talent for baking. Her homemade buns and kolaches were amazing. There was always coffee on and some small, sweet treat for anyone who stopped. Even her great grandchildren brought friends out to the ranch to spend time.

Lou Jean’s life was one of hard work, dedication, family, and quite generosity. She took great pride in the life she and Jim had built together and found joy in everyday moments spent with those she loved. She will be greatly missed.

Lou Jean is survived by her sister Yvonne Umburger (Don) of Belle Fourche, SD, brother-in-law Donald Beranek, her daughter Kathy Turgeon (Jeff Gregg) of Hamill, SD, Granddaughter Stacy Turgeon of Chamberlain, SD and great granddaughter Samantha Peppel (fiancé, Gunner Ristau) of Rapid City, SD, Jamie Turgeon-Drake (Thomas Baker) of Hamill, SD and great granddaughter Jaymes Drake of Phoenix, Arizona along with many nieces and nephews.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, brothers Clarence, Don, and Wes, sister Dorothy Beranek, her husband James Beranek, and son-in-law David Turgeon.