Ruth E. Beck passed away Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Community Hospital in Fairfax, Missouri at the age of 75. Funeral service for Ruth were held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at the Wesley United Methodist Church, Saint Joseph, Missouri. Interment followed in Memorial Park Cemetery, Saint Joseph. Services were conducted by Rev. Jim Barnett.
Ruth was a beautiful spirit loved by many. Laughter followed her wherever she went. She was a shoulder to cry on and always had a kind, supportive word for her family and many friends.
She LOVED to fish and happily baited hooks for her grandchildren when they were younger. Ruth enjoyed being outdoors and participated in several float trips with her friends from work. Perpetually young at heart, she was game to try just about anything, including parasailing and inner tubing. More than anything, she loved her family!
Ruth was the daughter of Alfred Frank and Renate Ottilie (Benz) Kornblum. Born March 24, 1941, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she attended Shorewood High School, Shorewood, Wisconsin, graduating in 1959.
On December 10, 1960, Ruth was united in marriage to Kenneth Beck. They became the parents of three children, Julie, Robert and Timothy, eventually making their home in St. Joseph in 1967. They later divorced.
Ruth was a stay-at-home mom, who was active in many of her children’s activities. She worked for a short time at Home Savings Association as a bookkeeper and later was employed by The Buchanan County Farmer publication working in every facet of the business. Ruth later worked for St. Joe Harley Davidson and relocated for a short time to Creston, Iowa, where she worked at Don’s Harley Davidson. She was affectionately called “Grandma Harley” by many family members. The last few years, Ruth worked in clerical at WRDCC and sales at JCPenney’s in St. Joseph. She made many lifelong, faithful friends at these jobs. In December 2013, Ruth moved to Rock Port, Missouri, to be closer to her daughter, Julie, where she lived to the present time.
Besides her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by infant granddaughter, Sarah Kendall, and brother, Theodore Kornblum. Survivors include daughter, Julie Burke and husband, Brad, Rock Port; two sons, Robert Beck and wife, Stacie, St. Joseph, and Timothy Beck and wife, Denise, Creston, Iowa; grandchildren, Jesse Kendall and wife, Michelle, Emily Burke, Ryan Beck and wife, Megan, Trevor Beck and wife, Kristen, Katie Burke, Breanna Beck, Andrew Beck, Jared Beck and Sara Beck; one great-granddaughter, Elliana Beck, and her companion Mick Finnell.
Memorials may be directed to Ruth Beck Memorial Fund for funeral expenses. Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com ~ Services under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.