Kathryn Beck
August 15, 1928 - November 29, 2017
Obituary
OREGON-Kathryn L. (Kate) Beck, age 89, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. Kate was born on Aug. 15, 1928, the daughter of John and Ada (Blosser) Leinbach.
She grew up in North Lima, Ohio. Raised a Mennonite, she embodied the values of simplicity, gratitude, and service to others throughout her life. Her family moved to Wakarusa, Indiana, when she was a teenager, and she attended nearby Goshen College, graduating with a degree in dietetics. She later earned a Master’s degree in food and nutrition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Kate met her husband, Verne Beck, at Madison General Hospital, where they were co-workers. They made their home in Oregon with their sons, John and Daniel.
Kate was generous and good-natured, with strong faith and a heart of gold. A skilled cook, she was known for her pickles, baked goods, and applesauce, and for her stamina, even in later years, managing
food preparation for events at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Following Verne’s death in 1983, she faced life on her own with courage and spirit. She took on leadership roles at St. Luke’s, including that of
Senior Warden, and traveled to Israel and Europe on trips sponsored by the church. For many years she attended exercise classes at the YMCA with her close friend Catherine Pasell, and she took up
photography, creating artful pictures of the rural landscape surrounding her home. She was also a loving grandmother.
Her family is grateful to the exceptional staff at Main Street Quarters in Oregon, where Kate found a warm and caring community in the last year of her life. In her final days she received respectful and
compassionate care at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg. Deep appreciation is extended to Kate’s dear friend Jayne Sergenian, her longtime hairdresser and friend Lucy Kneifl, and her wonderful neighbor, Dan
Subach. Gratitude is also owed to Dr. Zorba Paster and Father Don Fleischman of St. Luke’s.
Kate was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Verne Arnold Beck; and her brother and sister-in-law,
Earl and Betty Leinbach. She is survived by her sons, John Beck and Daniel (Martha) Beck; her grandchildren, Maxwell (Ingrid) Beck and Jocelyn Wilder; her brothers, Cleo (Thelma) Leinbach and Gene
(Shirley) Leinbach; and her brother-in-law, Earl (Betty) Beck.
A memorial service will be held at ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 4011 Major Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 11, 2017. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com
Gunderson Oregon
Funeral & Cremation Care
1150 Park Street
(608) 835-3515
Events
Visitation
Mon Dec 11, 2017 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
St. Luke's Episcopal Church • 4011 Major Ave., Madison, WI null
Service
Mon Dec 11, 2017 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
St. Luke's Episcopal Church • 4011 Major Ave., Madison, WI null
Photos
No photos of Kathryn have been shared yet.
Memories
JB
Julie Bissen
Other •
Kate was one of our Residents at Main Street Quarters! She was a joy to be with! Love playing Cards, Bingo, Cooking, Crafts and music! But her greatest joy was talking about her Family! I will always remember Kate a wonderful caring person and so much to be with! I'm very happy to have known her! Sincerely Julie Bissen
DB
Dan Beck
Other •
God bless you Mom. If I began detailing all you did for me during my 57 years I'd fill a thousand pages. So I'll just say, "Thanks for everything."
TC
Tracey Clark
Other •
Although I only knew Kathryn for a short time, I feel privileged to have been a small part of her life at Main Street Quarters. She was kind and loving. She never asked for much. She beamed when her sons would visit. She will be missed at MSQ. Rest in peace dear lady.
Tracey Clark, MSQ
DH
Dean Hartman
Other •
John and Daniel, we are sorry for the loss of your mother. We remember the good times our children had with you at our apartment on the UW campus in Eagle Heights when Dean was a student there. We appreciated your family keeping in touch with us. We wish you God's richest blessings as you mourn the loss of your mother. Dean and Donna Hartman
AL
Abby Luthin
Other •
I was so sorry to hear the news that Kate has passed. I spent many happy summer hours with her and my grandma, Catherine Pasell, joining them at exercise class at the Y in Madison, tagging along to Victor's coffee afterward, going to breakfast at Country Kitchen in Stoughton, and setting out early for the best Friday fish dinner. Kate was a friend to grandma in every sense of the word: kind, supportive, and helpful. And sometimes they would just giggle together over some funny word play or pun or some crazy adventure her cats had in the house. She loved her sons and family and would share what the grandkids were up to and when "her boys" would come visit or go out for meals in Madison. She was a great lady. Warm regards, Abby Luthin
MB
Martha Davis Beck
Other •
When I tell people I have lost my mother-in-law, it doesn't begin to say what I feel. Kate was a close and loving presence in my life for the past thirty years. Her warmth and encouragement helped me through many situations. She was my second mom. I will miss her dearly--and will try to find ways to pass on the gifts she gave me.