BELOIT – Evert Orval LaCoe Jr., 82, of Beloit, Kansas, passed away on October 9, 2026, in Beloit, with his sons by his side. He was the kind of man who never met a stranger. If you met Evert once, you left feeling like an old friend.
Evert was born July 31, 1944, in Beloit to Evert Orval LaCoe Sr. and Theda (Jones) LaCoe. He grew up in Jewell, where he went to school and graduated from Jewell High School with the Class of 1962. He then spent a year at Fairbury College before answering the call to serve his country. He did his basic training at Fort Leonardwood, MO. He was then stationed at Fort Riley and served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1965, including service in Vietnam.
On November 12, 1967, Evert married the love of his life, Alice Marie Thompson. They shared more than 57 years together, raising two sons and building a life full of family, friends, and laughter. For more than 40 years, Evert and Alice went to the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson every single year without missing one. It was their trip, and it said a lot about them: steady, loyal, and happiest side by side.
Evert could do just about anything with his hands, and over the years he did a little bit of everything. He farmed on their land northeast of town for 15 years and worked as service manager at Beloit Motors. In 1980 he opened LaCoe Radiator and Repair, and in 1987, while still running the shop, he started serving part-time with the Beloit Police Department. In 1990 he closed the shop and went into law enforcement full time as a Mitchell County Sherriff’s Deputy. Later he returned to Beloit Motors, where he finished his working years and retired. Anyone who knew him remembers that he rode his motorcycle to work every day the temperature stayed above zero. He was tough and stubborn, and he loved every mile.
Helping people wasn’t just something Evert did. It was who he was. He was a founding member of the Mitchell County Rescue Squad and served his community with it for 37 years, from 1976 to 2013. He was also an active member of the Isis Shrine, the Masonic Lodge, and the American Legion and was a lifetime member of the VFW.
Evert was at home outdoors with a fishing pole or a shotgun in his hands. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and he loved sharing that with others. For more than 40 years he opened his home to as many as 30 out-of-town pheasant hunters every opening weekend of the season. Many of them started as strangers and left as lifelong friends. Those weekends of early mornings, full tables, and plenty of stories were a big part of who he was.
More than anything, Evert loved his family. He was a devoted husband, a proud dad, and a grandpa who lit up around his grandkids.
He is survived by his sons, Erik (Marisa) LaCoe and Aaron (Chandra) LaCoe, both of Beloit; grandchildren Tayson (Alexa) Romero, Kiree LaCoe, Anthony Brooks, and Jayden Brooks; great-grandson Rhett Romero; brothers Randy (Gale) LaCoe and Ted LaCoe; sister Debby Abram; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Over the years that circle of friends grew far too big to count.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Alice, on May 23, 2025; and his sister, Becky Domino.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Roberts Funeral Home in Beloit. The funeral service will be held Friday, October 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Roberts Family Funeral Home, with a graveside service to follow. Memorials may be given to the Funeral Expense Fund or Solomon Valley Hospice.
Evert spent his life showing up for people: on the rescue squad, behind the badge, under the hood of a car, and around a table full of hunters. He leaves behind a family who loved him deeply and a community that’s better because he was in it.
Roberts Family Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left at www.robertsfamilyfs.com
