In Memory

Dottie Beck



 
  Post Comment

05/10/16 06:13 PM #1    

James Nys (Nys)

From the Billings Gazette

 

Dottie Beck

Dottie Beck

Dottie Beck embraced her life with laughter, love, and adventure. God granted her many special gifts: teaching young children, ministering in her church, and participating in community outreach programs. But most of all, Dottie had the gift of making all who knew her feel special and cared for (including her beloved animals, Lilly and Gracee). She considered the children in her life “her children”, and many of her friends were simply “family.” Those who held a special place in her heart were Robin, Brad, Shane, Brandi, Allison, and Jason.

Dottie was born in Butte, MT on May 15, 1948 to Glenn J. Beck and Ruth Beck Timms. In 1950 her father, mother, and brother Tom moved to Billings where her father worked for Carpenter Paper Company. They built their family home on the west end, which coincidentally Dottie was able to repurchase much later. She attended Billings’ school and graduated in 1966 from West High School She then attended College at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, which is affiliated with Community of Christ Faith. There she majored in elementary education. After receiving her teaching credentials, Dottie returned to Montana and taught in Wyola, Avon, and eventually in Billings for School District 2 where she worked for thirty-two years primarily as a classroom teacher.

After “retirement” Dottie, never one to sit still, worked as a bus aide to her friend, Lorrie Rimpe, on the Special Needs bus for the school district 2.

Dottie never missed a Christmas with her family in sixty-five years. One of Dottie greatest joys was her church, Community of Christ. She was an Elder and Co-pastor and recently realized one of her greatest dreams by serving Communion at the recent International Church Conference in Independence, Missouri, while acting as a delegate. Dottie attended the church youth camps and all the campers had the honor of hearing Dottie play (or try to play) reveille and taps each day.

Dottie exemplified the life and mission of Jesus Christ in her ministry. She and three other women served as outreach workers to the homeless in Billings (PATH) by seeking out and delivering food, clothing, and other necessities to those literally living on the streets. She was also active in the Billings Heights Kiwanis.

Preceding Dottie in death were her parents and her grandparents.

She is survived by her brother, Tom, who devoted himself to her in her final weeks (partner Max); fifteen first cousins; Aunt Pat Beck; Cathy, Maurice, and John Wilson; her unofficial “sisters” Linda Martell, Lorrie Rimpe, and Betty Alvarez and many very special friends including the Card Girls (Cherie, Janice, Lorrie, Barb, Debbie, and Cheri); and her favorite men, Gil Martell and Tom Wagner.

Dottie passed away Friday, August 23 at Riverstone Hospice after a brief illness. Special thanks go to the nurses and staff who provided such excellent care to Dottie, her family, and friends.

A Memorial service will be held Labor Day, September 2nd at the First Presbyterian Church, 13th Street West and Poly Drive at 2:00 pm. A reception will follow. Interment will be at a later date in Deer Lodge, Montana.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Outreach International, 129 W. Lexington, P.O. Box 210, Independence, Missouri 64050

You will be greatly missed Dot.

 

Submitted by Jim Nys


  Post Comment