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Eleanore M. Beck

ESCANABA – Eleanore M. Beck, 89, of 720 S. 13th St., Escanaba, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, at the Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba. She was born on Oct. 7, 1927, in Chicago to O. Edwin and Clara (Gustafson) Johnson. Though she was an only child, Eleanore was so close to her 22 first cousins that she thought of them as being like siblings to her.

When Eleanore was very young, the Johnson family moved to Newberry. She grew up in the Newberry area, and she was a member of the Newberry High School’s graduating class of 1945. Eleanore worked at Rahilly Grocery Store in Newberry and went on to attend Northern Michigan University’s business school.

On Dec. 29, 1953, the former Eleanore Johnson married Newberry High School choir director Conrad D. Beck at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Newberry; he preceded her in death on Aug. 29, 1978. In 1956, the couple moved to Escanaba when Conrad received the choir directing position at Escanaba High School. Eleanore worked as a bookkeeper at various businesses in the area, and was the financial secretary at Bethany Lutheran Church for several years. In addition to her financial work at Bethany Lutheran Church, Eleanore was a devoted Lutheran who served as a Sunday school teacher at Bethany and who was a member of the church’s sewing group.

As a supporter of the arts in the Escanaba area, Eleanore loved attending all local musical events. She was also involved in Players de Noc, and worked as a ticket coordinator at Escanaba High School musicals for many years.

Eleanore also enjoyed knitting, gardening, and solving crossword puzzles. She loved her children and grandchildren, and will be greatly missed by many.

Eleanore M. Beck is survived by her son, John (Kim) Beck of Escanaba; her daughters, Joanna Beck of Naperville, Ill., Carole Beck of Paradise, and Sara Beck of Escanaba; and her two grandchildren, Jordan and Kyra Beck of Escanaba.

Eleanore was preceded in death by her parents, O. Edwin and Clara Johnson, and her husband, Conrad D. Beck.

Visitation for Eleanore will be held from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. A funeral service celebrating her life will follow at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba with Rev. Erik Heskin officiating. A luncheon will be served after the service in the church’s fellowship area. Burial will take place in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Conrad and Eleanore Beck Music Scholarship at Escanaba High School. The Anderson Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone are assisting the Beck family. Online condolences can be sent at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.