Shirley Beck

Funeral services for Shirley Beck were held on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., at the Prairie Gospel Barn in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Keith Moody officiating.

Music was provided by the congregation and grandchildren, accompanied by Bette Fogel, pianist. Granddaughters Pamela Reber, Jenifer Hoeft, and Jessica Schultz were in charge of registration. Flower attendants were granddaughters Sami Jo Beck, Kalla Sawyer, and Hannah Beck.

Casket bearers were grandsons Gregory Smith, Todd Beck, Eric Knight, John Beck, Robert Beck, Eugene Hopkins, Austin Beck, and Derek Beck. Honorary casket bearers were Glenn Smith, Geoff Smith, Clay Beck, Ivan Beck, Dan Beck, Glenn Hopkins, Beau Beck, Steven Hopkins, Josh Cooper, Jim Collier, Valley Reading Circle, and the Dallas Legion Auxiliary.

Interment was in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Shirley Ann Brown was born June 22, 1924, at Mule Head Ranch on the Whetstone Creek, north and east of Bonesteel, SD. Shirley was the oldest child of eight children born to William and Mabel (Cornemann) Brown. As a young girl, the family moved several times. Shirley attended many rural country schools. After two years in Dallas and one year at Gregory High School, Shirley stayed home to help her mother who had contracted Polio.

Shirley married Emmett K. Beck on July 10, 1942, in Springview, NE. They were married for 52 years before Emmett passed in 1994. To this union nine children were born.

Not only did Shirley keep busy with her children, but she had many other duties.

Shirley was an accomplished seamstress and could sew anything, even without a pattern. She made the family’s everyday clothing as well as prom dresses and wedding dresses. Helping out on the farm was just part of being a farm wife. Shirley helped milk cows, pulled many baby lambs and pigs, and raised chickens. Shirley also worked outside of the home at different times as a cook and a waitress.

Shirley’s real enjoyment was getting together with her big family. She hosted countless birthdays, holidays, and special occasions. Shirley loved to visit and enjoy a good cup of coffee with friends and family. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the highlight of her life.

Shirley loved to bake and decorate cakes. She baked many cakes for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and special occasions.

Gardening and flowers were Shirley’s escape. She loved to grow more than she needed and enjoyed giving and sharing the extra bounty. Gardening also meant canning hundreds of jars of garden produce.

Shirley was a lifelong member of the Valley Reading Circle, a neighborhood women’s group that started in the early 1920s. She was also a member of the Rice-Walker American Legion Post #91 Auxiliary of Dallas for over 40 years. Shirley was very patriotic and very proud of her family members that served in the military. She served many positions and headed many committees in the organization. The annual Fall Pheasant Smorgasbord was her pride and joy.

Shirley Ann passed away on June 9, 2022, at the Winner Regional Health Care Center at the age of 97 years, 11 months, and 17 days.

She was preceded in death by her husband Emmett, her parents William and Mabel Brown, grandson Emmett Jay Smith, great-grandsons Kolby Beck and Brendan Hopkins, son-in-law Brent Janak, daughter-in-law Linda Beck, all of her siblings: Rex Brown, Louie Brown, Jim (Delores) Brown, Leitha (Vernon) Drey, Wayne (Deloris) Brown, Russell Brown, and Gary Brown, in-laws David and Agnes (Graesser) Beck, brothersand sisters-in-law Helga (Robert) Pennington, Donald (Ruth) Beck, Lola (Howard) Whitley, Jean (Alden) Aakhus, and Max (Faye) Beck.

Shirley is survived by her nine children: Diane (Gerald) Smith, Gregory, SD, Frank Beck, Mills, NE, Dave (Emily) Beck, Mills, NE, Janet (Charlie) Knight, Papillion, NE, Ken (Kathy) Beck, Dallas, SD, Patricia (Monte) Hopkins, Central City, NE, Brad (Barb) Beck, Winner, SD, Bev Janak, Winner, SD, and Doug (Sandy) Beck, Colome, SD; 24 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren, 23 great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Anna Mae Brown, Gregory, SD, Bonnie Brown, Winner, SD, Maureen Brown, Rapid City, SD, and Mary Brown-Nelson, Scotland, SD; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Her mind is at ease and her soul is at rest.