Marilee Beck

February 12, 1940 - June 28, 2017

Marilee Beck, 77, entered her Heavenly home on June 28, 2017 at Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita, Kan. Marilee (Richardson) Beck was born in Laclede County, Mo. on February 12, 1940. She was the daughter of Vencie and Maribel (Collier) Richardson. On May 21, 1960, she married Royal Beck in Lebanon, Mo. after they met on a blind date on his last weekend stationed at Fort Leonard Wood. He preceded her in death on June 5, 2005. Marilee was a caregiver by nature. She spent her life making other people happy. She attended beauty school in the late 50s and enjoyed life as a beautician in the days of beehives and bouffants. After moving to Byers in 1970, she enjoyed adding farm wife to her list of titles. She worked at Skyline Schools for 25 years as a bus driver and head cook where her cinnamon rolls were nearly famous! Her love of the students and teachers made work fun. Her mission was to make others happy and she did just that. In her retirement, she worked at Wal-Mart in Pratt where her caring nature shown through as well. Marilee was a devout Christian and a wonderful listener and prayer warrior. During the last year, she chose to bloom where God planted her at Pratt Residence and Rehab Center where she was a friend to many and loved all of her caretakers as family. She loved making them laugh with her crazy leggings and fun attitude! Marilee was a long time member of the Byers United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School, sang and organized dozens of Christmas programs. After the Byers Church closed, she found a new church home and became a member of the Friends Church in Pratt. She is survived by her children Jimmy (Mary Ann Shupe) Beck of Sapulpa, Okla. and Misty Beck of Pratt. Grandchildren, Chadly Beck and Joshua (Jennifer) Beck of Tulsa, Okla., Great grandchildren Chaz, Natalie and Brody Beck all of Tulsa, sister Landa (Bill) Moore of Iuka and sister-in-law Anne (Charles) Current of Cortez, Colo. Nephew Justin (Tracy) Moore of Wichita and great nieces and nephews Shea (Ryan) Lunt, Brooke (Wojciech) Borysiewicz and Ruby and William Moore and great-great niece, Juniper Lunt. Marilee was known as Marma to dozens of “adopted” grandkids whom she loved as her own, including Olivia and Thatcher Jacobs and Scarlett and Bella Huesman. Her husband, nephew Darin Goodwin, and her parents preceded her in death. Friends may sign the book Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Road, Pratt. A Celebration of Life Service will be hosted Saturday, July 1 at 10am at the Pratt Friends Church with Rev. Mike Neifert, Rev. Scott Powell, Rev. Mike McGovney and Rev. Terry Stafford officiating. Cremation has taken place and burial will take place in the Iuka Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pratt Community College Friends of the Arts.