Beck, Walter L. 1913-2002

BECK, SCHMIDT, DEE, MORRISON, SCHROEDER, YODER, VAN OTEGHAM, GERBITZ, HUNTER, PAVEY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 1/25/2014 at 14:52:40

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Nov. 15, 2002

WALTER L. BECK

Walter L. Beck, 89, of rural Malcom, died Thursday, Nov.14, 2002 of cancer at Friendship Manor.

A funeral service was held Monday, Nov. 18, at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Malcom, with the Rev. Herb Knudten, pastor of the church, officiating. Organist was Teresa Ziegenmeyer. Casket bearers were his grandsons, Steve, Greg, Chad, Brent, Brian and David Beck. Honorary bearers were his granddaughters, Theresa Yoder, Valerie Van Otegham, Brenda Gerbitz, Janet Hunter, Gail Beck, Karen Beck and Natalie Pavey. Flower bearers were Clyde and Dorothy Davis, Jim and Laurma Manatt, Ross and Ila Mintle, and Gladys Baltisberger. Burial was in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery with Smith Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church.

He was born June 19, 1913, in Poweshiek County near Grinnell to Karl and Mary Schmidt Beck. He was raised in Minnesota and the family returned to the Grinnell area where he attended rural school.

He was married on May 23, 1936, to Blanche Marie Dee in Davenport. They lived in the Malcom area where he operated grain and livestock farms. He was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served on the church council, the church building committee and as Sunday school superintendent. He also served on the Malcom Elevator Board and was a former director of the Malcom Rural School System.

He is survived by his wife Marie Beck of the Mayflower Home; four sons Marvin Beck and Lyle Beck, both of Malcom and Don Beck and Melvin Beck of Grinnell; 13 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; one brother Paul Beck of Fletcher, Ohio, and two sisters, Irene Morrison and Mildred Schroeder, both of Grinnell. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Fred Beck and Harold Beck.