Mary Ellen Beck

SENECA – Mary Ellen (Lewis) Beck, 72, of Stavanger, passed away Saturday morning, August 12th at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center, Joliet, surrounded by her family.

She was an amazing lady who was loved by many.  Her great personality as “Queenie” of the North Prairie set her apart from others.  She was a very talented artist, school and community volunteer, snowmobiling star, and “baby hog”.  Mary Ellen was very instrumental in organizing some of Seneca’s great celebrations. She loved the St. Louis Cardinals even while being surrounded by a family full of Chicago Cubs fans.  She was a Lady Irish fan, green through and through. Mary Ellen always had a friendly story to tell or a funny joke to share.  She seemed to know everyone when she was out and if she didn’t, she would know them before she left.

Mary Ellen was born June 7, 1945 in El Paso, Texas to William A. “Pug” Lewis and Esther (Gonzales) Lewis.  She married Gerald “Jerry” Beck on August 19, 1961.  She is a retired (27 years) Seneca Volunteer firefighter, EMT, captain, and part-time EMS/police dispatcher.

Mary Ellen and Jerry were married for 55 years, just one week shy of celebrating their 56th anniversary.  She was a devoted mom to Barb Beck, Cynthia (Jed) Wilson, Josephine (Paul) Hogue, Amanda (Tim Mann) Beck, Juanita “Frito” (Stan) Mann, and Corrina (Curt) Stewart.  Also surviving are three brothers, William A. (Sharon) Lewis Jr., Charles W. Lewis, and David R. Lewis; and two sisters-in-law, Wanda (John) Logsdon and Linda Anderson.  “Nonnie” was loved by her 8 grandchildren, Jeremiah (Janelle) Beck, Matthew (Abbie) Wilson, Max (Lexi Witkowski) Mann, Alex Mann, Peter (Hannah McCormack) Hogue, Ben Hogue, Jake Stewart, and Sheri Stewart.  She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and their children along with her loving cousins and their families.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, John Edward Lewis, and a sister, Elizabeth Corrine Lewis.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm, Wednesday, August 16th, at Gladfelter Funeral Home in Ottawa IL.  Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 17th, at Stavanger Lutheran Church at 11:11 a.m. officiated by Rev. Philip Peterson.  Burial will follow in Stavanger Lutheran Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Stavanger Lutheran Church.