Betty Beckman Obituary
Betty L. Beckman, 96, of Burlington, died Monday, April 8, 2024, at the OakView Nursing Home and Rehabilitation in Burlington.
Born July 26, 1927, in Burlington, she was the daughter of Raymond and Sarah Wilkerson Linquist. On August 21, 1948, she married Robert P. Beckman at St. Patrick's Church in Burlington. He preceded her in death on August 11, 2015.
She graduated from Burlington High School and worked at the telephone company as a switchboard operator until she married. She was a homemaker who raised 8 sons and 1 daughter with Robert at the same house on Agency where she remained for 67 years until her passing.
She was a devout Catholic member of Divine Mercy Parish and was active in the Altar and Rosary society and the Legion of Mary. Betty was a former member of the Eagles Club. As a young girl, she rode horses and spent summers on her grandparents farm. She had a competitive spirit when it came to playing board games with her children and grandchildren and guessing puzzles on Wheel of Fortune. She kept her mind sharp by playing word searches and crossword puzzles. Betty enjoyed watching sports, especially the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Boston Celtics and of course Super Bowls because of the parties. She loved music and concerts and going to the movie theater and enjoying her popcorn . She frequently shopped for clothing and had a sense of style.
Most of all Betty dearly loved spending time with her family. The luncheons with relatives, holiday gatherings, Sunday meals, and Saturday night takeout pizza were events she always looked forward to. Food, family, faith and friends were at the core of what she held important. Her resiliency and determination to battle through difficult illnesses with such grace and dignity earned the admiration of physicians and nursing staff who took care of her. She never gave up because she loved people and loved life. Betty was revered and loved by her family, friends, neighbors, and quite frankly anyone who had the privilege of knowing her. She leaves a legacy of generosity, selflessness, and kindness. She will be sorely missed.
Survivors include her daughter, Roxanne (Hub) Ulrich of Wellington, CO; eight sons, Greg (Karen) Beckman of Chicago, IL; Randy (Mary) Beckman of Iowa City; Kirk A. (Gertrude) Beckman; Kevin (Vicki) Beckman both of Burlington; Gary L. Beckman of Fort Madison; Jeff Beckman of Burlington; Brian (Sarah) Beckman of Iowa City; Brad (Angie) Beckman of Greenville, SC; 20 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; and 7 great great grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers in law, Clifford Beckman and Donald (Mary Lee) Beckman along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides her husband of 66 years, she was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Katherine Linquist.
A Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be held at 3:00 PM Friday, April 12, 2024 at Divine Mercy Parish-SS. Mary and Patrick Catholic Church, West Burlington followed by visitation where the family will receive friends from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a rosary to be held at 7:00 PM.
The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Mrs. Beckman will be 10:00 AM Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Divine Mercy Parish-SS. Mary and Patrick Catholic Church, West Burlington with Fr. Gary Beckman as the Celebrant and Fr. Jake Greiner, and Rev. Father Michael T. Phillips as the Con-Celebrants. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the Divine Mercy Parish Hall at SS. Mary and Patrick Catholic Church following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Divine Mercy Parish and St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.