Verna Beck

Verna LaVon Beck, daughter of Herman and Marie (nee Rabe) Mayer, was born October 14, 1935, in Randolph County, Illinois. On November 3, 1935, she was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran, Pinckneyville, Illinois and on April 10, 1949, she was confirmed at St. Mark’s Lutheran, Steeleville, Illinois where she attended its parochial elementary school. In 1953 she graduated from Pinckneyville High School.

At Immanuel Lutheran, Pinckneyville on May 7, 1955, she married Paul Theodore Beck with whom she was privileged to enjoy 63 years in the nuptial estate until his passing February 5, 2019. Upon marriage they made their home in St. Louis where Paul was employed by the U.S. Postal Service and was a Postal Clerk working at the Mehlville Post Office. They initially resided in 1955 on Smiley Avenue is South St. Louis and moved to their present residence in 1962.

Verna is survived by her children: Katherine (Gary) Morgan and Mark (Kim) Beck; grandchildren: Jeffery Morgan, Jessica Morgan, Matthew (Julie) Beck and Zachary Beck; great-grandchildren: Sophie Beck and David Beck; her sister: Erna May (George) Salger; her sister-in-law: Darlene Mayer; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Paul Theodore Beck, her brothers and sisters: Virginia (Harold) Ebers, Loriena (Arnold) Ebers, Herman Mayer, Lloyd (Anita) Mayer, and Marion (Rudy) Roethlisberger; and her in-laws: LaVerna (Edgar) Schwarz and Myra (Larry) Woehlke.

Verna and Paul transferred from Timothy Lutheran and became communicants of Peace Lutheran in 1962, where her membership since has remained. Until experiencing declining health, Verna sang in the Chancel Choir, participated in Sunday Bible Class, and earlier taught Sunday School and VBS.

Verna enjoyed quilting, crocheting, ceramics, baking and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Verna peacefully departed this life on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at the age of 87. She will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Memorial donations may be made to Peace Lutheran Church, 737 Barracksview Road, St. Louis, MO 63125.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 6, 2023, from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm at John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Home, 4830 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63129. Funeral Service will be Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 10:00 am at Peace Lutheran Church, 737 Barracksview Road, St. Louis, MO 63125. Interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.