Clarence Beck

Clarence "Cookie" "Buck" Beck, 92, of Mankato, passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2013, at Republic Co. Hospital. He was born on July 1, 1921 to Edward and Alice (Bartos) Beck. He grew up in Wilber, Ne, where he was known as Cookie, and for a lifetime held onto his Czech roots. He graduated High School in 1939. He served in the Army from 1942-1946. After he was honorably discharged from the Army, he returned home and finished his schooling. In 1950, he moved to Mankato, Ks. He met and married Florence Motes. They had three children, Edward, Sherry and Jack. He served as manager for the Jewell-Mitchell Cooperative Electric Company in Mankato for 33 years. After retiring, he also served as interim manager for several electric companies across the state of Kansas.
If you ever got the opportunity to meet him, you would never forget him. He always had a smile on his face and could quickly put one on your face. Everyone would agree that he was very ornery. When he walked into the room you had better be ready because you never knew what he was going to say. Family and friends were very important to Clarence. He enjoyed traveling and trips to Colorado with his family. His grandchildren have fond memories of visiting the cabin in San Isabel, taking walks to the park where he carved all of their names into a tree, and jumping off the rocks into his arms. He was a big sports fan and loved Nebraska football and Cardinal baseball in particular, never missing a game. He also never missed the opportunity to cheer on his grandchildren at their sporting events. Clarence, "Buck", "Cookie", Grandpa, whatever you had the honor of calling him, he will be greatly missed by all. He certainly was one of a kind.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his sister Viola, his wife Florence, and children, sons Edward and Jack and daughter Sherry. He is survived by: his sister, Marjorie Tesar and husband LaVern of Kennewick, Washington. Son-in-law Michael Leaf, Wichita, Ks. Grandson Brent Beck and wife Collette, Mankato, Kansas; granddaughters - Kristene Boyles and husband Scott, Superior, Nebraska, Rebecca Mason, Wichita, Kansas, and Katie Ludwick and husband Scott, Wichita, Kansas; great-grandsons: Austin, Calen, Kyler, Kamden, and Tyler; great-granddaughters: Michaela, Trinity, Ally, Dacey, and Halstyn; and a host of other family and friends.

A celebration of life service for Clarence Beck will be Saturday, October 12, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., at the Melby Mortuary Chapel, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Dennis Beckmann officiating. Organist was Mrs. Pat Grout. Casket Bearers were: Brent Beck, Scott Boles, Mike Leaf, Rodney Payne, Adam Harris, and Lloyd Johnson. Honorary Casket bearers were: LaVern Tesar, Cleo Hiltgen, Bob Rosticil, Larry Parkarek, Wayne Dunn, and Charles Jacobson. Military honors were presented by United States Army Honor Guard, Fort Riley, Kansas, and interment was in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas. The family suggests memorial to: Jack Beck Memorial Scholarship Fund, in care of the Mankato Endowment Association. The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 11, 2013, at the Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas.