John M. Beck 1923 - 2014

BECK, LARSON, HAWKINS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/10/2014 at 17:16:53

Sioux City Journal
23 September 2014

SIOUX CITY | John M. Beck, 91, formerly of Sioux City transitioned peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014, in Luverne, Minn.

A celebration of life service will be 11:30 a.m. Friday at Larkin Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home, 2320 Outer Drive North, in Sioux City. The Rev. David Hemann will officiate. A luncheon will follow the service at the funeral home.

John was born on July 14, 1923, in Worthington, Minn., the son of Jens and Mable (Larson) Beck. John lost his mother when he was young and was then raised by Jens and his loving mother, Stella (Lund) Beck. The family moved to Sioux City in 1938. He graduated from Central High School in 1943, and soon after enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force where he became a sergeant assigned to the 617th Division in Tooele, Utah.

Upon returning home from military service, he married his high school sweetheart, Veronica Mary Hawkins on May 31, 1947. They settled in Leeds and were members of St. Michael Catholic Church. John was employed by the CMST.P Railroad, Beane Plumbing & Heating with the majority of his employment years at Albertson's/Sioux Tools in Sioux City.

He was a member of the Union of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the American Legion. John retired in 1986, enjoying many years of daily coffee with former work peers, friends and railroad groups. He loved the great outdoors with his passions for fishing, camping, gardening, hunting and golfing as well as helping neighbors and friends with special projects. John was a patient, loving man, referred to by many as the gentle giant. He loved being surrounded by family and friends, treasuring the memories of their many gatherings and events over the years.

John is survived by one daughter, Elizabeth Beck of North Mankato, Minn.; three sisters, Fern (Bob) Clauson of Plymouth, Minn., Betty Ann Burns of Worthington, and Karen (Ray) Buchman of Worthington; sisters-in-law, Helen Beck of Carmichael, Calif., and Rae Hawkins of Gracemont, Okla.; and numerous cherished nieces, nephews and extended family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jens and Stella Beck; his wife of 66 years, Veronica Beck on Aug. 26, 2013; two brothers, Harold M. Beck and Allen Beck; sister-in-law, Jean Beck; brother-in-law, Don Burns; grandnephew, John David Beck; grandniece, Karalyn E. Werth Capriotti; and Don and Joan Erickson of Worthington, Richard Johnson of Lincoln, Neb., and Loren Joseph Hawkins of Gracemont, Okla