In Memory of John "Jack" Dean Beck

John D. “Jack” Beck, age 83, of Grand Island, Nebraska (formally of Battle Creek, Iowa) passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at his residence of Grand Island, Nebraska.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 26, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Reverend Kevin J. Freese will officiate. Burial will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., on Friday, September 26, 2014 at First Presbyterian Church, of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

John D Beck was born January 25, 1931 at Omaha, NE to John & Martha (Glesmann) Beck.

John attended kindergarten at Chalco, NE then his family moved to a farm northwest of Battle Creek, IA.  He attended rural schools in Woodbury County and then Anthon, IA high school

He was united in marriage to Audrey A Schmidt on November 23, 1952 at the First Presbyterian Church in Battle Creek, IA.  He farmed for several years before becoming a federal meat inspector.  He serviced plants in IA, MN & NE.  The family moved to Grand Island, NE in 1974.  He continued to take part in the farming operations until 1994 when he had heart surgery.

He was interested in genealogy, John Wayne movies, aeronautics, and his family.  He received his pilot’s license in 1980.

Survivors include one son, Brian (Colleen) Beck of Battle Creek, IA, four daughters, Cynthia Huato of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Denise (Robert) Bjorholm of Battle Creek, IA; Diane (Dale) Manchester of Kearney, NE, Cheryl Richardson of Duncan, NE & son in law Jim Richardson of Grand Island, NE.  Other survivors include 14 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren, 15 step grandchildren & 1 step great grandchild & 3 sisters in law.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey; his parents; a sister, Lola Mundt; brother, Herbert Beck; and a grandson, Ryan Beck.