Grayce Marie Beck, 93, Sturtevant, died peacefully Jan. 6, 2014, at Timber Oaks in Union Grove, with her children by her side.
She was born on May 6, 1920, in Racine, to the late David and Mayme (Miller) Anderson. She was a lifelong resident of Racine County. She attended Wm. Horlick High School and over the years took pride in being an alumnus of the class of 1938.
On April 26, 1941, she married Emil O. Beck in the Emmaus Lutheran Church parsonage in Racine. They made their home in the Village of Sturtevant for 65 years before Emil preceded her in death on Jan. 23, 2006.
While her children were growing up, Grayce was active in Sturtevant community volunteer work including Brownies, Boy Scouts, Little League and the American Legion Auxiliary. During the early years when the Sturtevant Volunteer Fire Department serviced the village, she assisted with emergency dispatching duties from her home. She worked alongside her husband in his residential home business, often drawing up the house plans and painting and staining interiors. She had a love of fishing and a good game of cribbage. She was an ardent antique glass collector and crocheted afghans and slippers by the dozen at Christmastime.
Most of all she took pleasure in spending time at the ‘North 40’ cabin on Yellow River with her family. All who knew her enjoyed her sharp wit and wonderful sense of humor. She leaves behind a family who truly felt her love for them and that love was the foundation of a life well lived.
Survivors include her children, William (Elaine) Beck, Carol Swantz, Steve Beck, David (Diane) Beck, all Racine County; grandchildren, Kristine Beck, Joel (Laurie) Beck, Jon (Mary) Beck, Michael (Tamera) Swantz, Jeffrey Swantz, Steve (Tracy) Swantz, Benjamin (Lisa) Beck, Kara (Rick Wiesner) Beck; great-grandchildren, Thomas, Grant, Cole, Tanner, Brandon, Logan, Jared, Becca, Kaleb, Kyle, Nathan and Lauren; step-great-granddaughters, Amie and Elizabeth; brother-in-law, George Beck; sister-in-law, Gloria Konicek; nieces; nephews; other relatives and dear friends.
She was further preceded in death by her granddaughter, Berit Beck; daughter-in-law, Kristine E. Beck; great-granddaughter, Hailey Beck; brothers, Wallace (Josie) Anderson and Thomas Anderson; sisters-in-law, Edna (Art) Peterson and Geraldine Beck; and brother-in-law, Jerome Konicek.
Funeral services are Friday, Jan. 10, at 2 p.m., at Sturino Funeral Home, 3014 Northwestern Ave., Racine, with the Rev. Sue Leih officiating. She will be laid to rest at West Lawn Memorial Park. There will be a visitation for family and friends on Friday at the funeral home from 12:30 p.m., until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Grayce in a special way may direct memorials to one’s favorite charity.
The Beck family would like to thank the staff at Timber Oaks Assisted Living facility in Union Grove for the exceptional care given to Grayce.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.sturinofuneralhome.com.
-
-
-
-
-