N. Rebecca "Becky" Countryman

Nana Rebecca Countryman was born to Marvin and Nana Beale on May 28, 1949, at the Mitchell County Hospital, in Beloit, Kansas. She passed away in her sleep to be with Jesus Christ and the love of her life, Dale, on April 29, 2009, at the Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems.

She lived with her family in Jewell County, attending Burr Oak schools and graduated from Burr Oak High School in 1967. She was baptized into the Christian faith at the King Solomon Christian service camp in Solomon, Kansas. After high school she attended early computer training in Kansas City. Becky was a waitress in several area cafes and she met Dale one day at the Burr Oak Café.

Becky and Dale were married on October 5, 1969, at the Burr Oak Christian Church. They were married 39 years. Dale’s children, Lisa and Christal were loved and adored by Becky and she tried to be a good mother to them. Becky and Dale wanted children of their own and adopted Callie and Morgan.

In their early married life they lived in Colorado, one of their most favorite places to live. Dale worked for a large farming operation and Becky was a waitress at the Nickerson Farms Restaurant. They decided to return to Jewell County and live on the Countryman farm engaging in farming with Dale’s father, Leonard. Becky was active in rural farm life, school functions, 4-H, card parties with neighbors, and as a Avon representative. They enjoyed traveling and dancing to the Jimmie Dee Band, wherever they played.

During this time they both attended the North Central Kansas Vocational Technical School in Beloit, with Becky graduating in Applied Data Processing and Secretarial. They left the farm and lived in Frisco, Colorado, for a short time, finally moving back to Salina, where she worked at Food Services of America until 1994.

Becky and Dale lived outside of Salina, keeping their love of the country. There they ere able to have all the pets they wanted and all the children and grandchildren were able to come and play. Becky adored her cats and they became the children she was not able to have.

She is survived by her mother Nana Beale of Superior, Nebraska; her two daughters – Lisa Purcell and Chris Countryman, both of Salina, Kansas; her sister - Jane and husband, John Belt of Formoso, Kansas; four brothers – Marvin, Jr. and wife, Pam Beale of Shickley, Nebraska, Tim and wife, Jeri Beale of Clay Center, Nebraska, Miles and wife, Kelly of Superior, Nebraska, and Darrin and wife, Kelsey of Geneva, Nebraska; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother-n-law, Steve and wife, Jayne Countryman; sisters-in-law: Judy and husband Blaine Wells and Rita and husband, Dennis Thompson; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A memorial celebration of life service for N. Rebecca “Becky” Countryman was held Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 2:00 p.m., at the Melby Mortuary Chapel, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Thaddeus Hinkle officiating. The family played a selection of recorded music that had special meaning for Becky. The honorary casket bearers were her sister and brothers – Jane Belt, Marvin Beale, Jr., Tim Beale, Miles Beale, and Darrin Beale. Inurnment was in the Ionia Cemetery, Ionia, Kansas, beside her beloved husband, Dale. The family suggests memorials to Rebecca Countryman’s favorite charities – Saline County Humane Society or St. Joseph’s Indian Mission, in care of the Mortuary. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.