Ruth Beck

Ruth Beck, 79, passed away on Friday, December 27th at Dougherty Hospice House surrounded by her loving family. Ruth Elva Siepkes was born on May 29, 1934 to Theodore (Ted) and Theada (Naatjes) Siepkes. She graduated from Lennox High School in 1952. After graduation, she attended Nettleton Business College and worked for several years at Valley Exchange Bank in Lennox. On February 25, 1956 she was united in marriage with Arnold Beck at LaValley Presbyterian Church east of Lennox. Following their marriage, they lived and worked on their farm south of Worthing and raised five children. Ruth was an active and faithful member of Delaware Reformed Church where she served as church organist for over fifty years and on various church committees. Her hobbies included gardening, crocheting, reading, playing piano and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Music was a constant presence in Ruth's life as she provided musical accompaniment for countless funerals, weddings, church programs and community events throughout the Lennox area and beyond. Of all her musical accomplishments, two stand above all others. One was passing her love of music on to her children, the Beck Family Singers, and their many performances in the community over the years. The other was the twenty years she spent as accompanist for the Grieg Male Chorus of Canton. Ruth brought joy to all who were blessed to hear her "tickle the ivory keys." Grateful for having shared her life are her children: Deb (Dan) Herold, Brenda (Curt) Brynjulson, Duane (Cindy) Beck, Barb Beck, and Darin (Danelle) Beck, all of Sioux Falls. Blessed for having called her Grandma are Alex and Brianna Herold, Andrew and Austin Brynjulson, Jennie Skancke and Ben and Paige Beck. They look forward to sharing stories about Grandma Ruth with baby girl Beck, due in February 2014. Others who shared her life were her sister Marge Siepkes of Sioux Falls, brother-in-law Bill (Donna) Beck of Worthing, sister-in-law Lavonne Seipkes of staples, MN, many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnie, her parents and her brother, Vern. Services will begin at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 at Delaware Reformed Church, rural Lennox with burial in the Delaware Church Cemetery. Visitation also at Delaware Reformed Church will begin Monday at 6 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m.

Ruth Beck

May 29, 1934 - December 27, 2013

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