Ivagene M. (Speas) BECKETT

SPEAS, BECKETT, CLARK, GAST, EBNER, ELLINGSON, HARTZ, BLANKENSHIP

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/21/2016 at 18:09:44

March 30, 1929 --- June 16, 2016

Ivagene “Ivy” M. (Speas) Beckett, 87, passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at the Iowa Specialty Hospital in Belmond, Iowa with her family by her side. Funeral services for Ivy Beckett will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 10:30 AM at the United Presbyterian Church, 219 1st Street North West in Clarion, with Pastor Bob EnTin officiating. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion. Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 21, 2016 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home in Clarion, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.

Ivagene “Ivy” Mae (Speas) Beckett was born on the family farm on March 30, 1929 to Clarence and Goldie (Clark) Speas. She grew up on several farms near the Marshalltown area, along with her eleven siblings. Ivy graduated from Union High School with the class of 1947 and attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Ivy began her 30 plus year teaching career in a one-room country schoolhouse near her home; among her first students were her younger brothers. She spent the majority of her teaching profession at Clarion Elementary as a fourth grade teacher.

While teaching in Clarion, she met her husband Richard Beckett, and they were married on November 23, 1956. The two made their home in Clarion where they raised their two children. Later Ivy further advanced her education by achieving her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa.

Ivy enjoyed traveling, learning about nature, and tent camping with her husband and children. She looked forward to trips with her friends to Santa Barbara, California. Ivy was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Clarion; she volunteered during many church events. Along with her faithful church membership, she was also dedicated to the Clarion Library Board. Ivy valued education and stressed the importance of advanced education to her children often.

Ivy is survived by her children: Diane (Mike) Gast of Bend, Oregon, and Harold (Terri) Beckett of Farmington, Minnesota; grandchildren: Jackie (Sam) Ebner, Tyler Beckett, Kathryn Beckett, and Racquel Beckett; siblings: Merrill (Lois) Speas, Marie Ellingson, Jerry Speas, Joy Hartz; as well as many nieces and nephews. Ivy is preceded in death by her husband Richard; her parents: Clarence and Goldie Speas; and siblings: Arlene Speas, Wayne Speas, Ruby Blankenship, Kenneth Speas, Keith Speas, Larry Speas, and Willard Speas.

http://www.ewingfh.com/obituaries/ivagene-ivy-mae-speas-beckett/