Constance "Connie" Mary Beck

Leona Thoennes on August 8, 1932. Connie had five siblings: a brother Bud and four sisters

Virginia, Marcy, Rose and MaryAnne. Her family moved from Minnesota to Portland, Oregon

when she was about 11 years old, because of job opportunities. Her dad was a blacksmith and

her mom worked in the woolen mills.

Connie attended Assumption Catholic Grade School and graduated from Roosevelt High School

in 1950. This is where she met Victor Beck at a high school football game. They were married

in Portland at Holy Redeemer Church on January 10th, 1953. They were married for 63 years.

Together they raised five children: Debora, David, Paul, Diane and Annette. The family lived in

the Portland area until about 1972 while the children attended Assumption grade school.

She loved spending quality family time going on adventures like camping at Rockaway Beach to

enjoy running down the dunes and going Bass fishing. Annual trips to Kah-Nee-Ta resort in

Madras, Or. roasting marshmallows in the tee-pee and always getting burnt in the huge pool

with the spouting bears! There were the trips to Trees of Mystery, Crater Lake and Sea Lion

Caves. Plus, all the fun at Nana and Otto’s ranch in The Dalles: eating delicious huckleberry

pies, playing with the animals and watching her children swimming in the pond. (Connie could

not swim). But, she didn't like the out-house so much, since there wasn’t indoor plumbing!

After 20 years of renovating the house in St. John’s, they had to start all over when the family

moved onto 10 acres in Scappoose, Oregon in 1972. Her husband Victor continued working at

Seinfeld’s Products which was a Portland cannery known for their pickled goods, as a delivery

truck driver. He retired after 45 years of employment. They lived in Scappoose for 44 years

enjoying the peacefulness and beauty of country living. She loved spending time in her

sprawling garden and flower beds, especially her roses. She also enjoyed quilting, sewing and

was known for always having her nose in a good book! Connie was also a wonderful baker and

was famous for her lemon meringue pie and her cinnamon rolls were amazing! She took great

pride in her housekeeping and it taught her children the value of hard work. She enjoyed

working in her early years at Nabisco(National Biscuit Company). Then after getting married and

starting a family, she considered it a blessing to stay at home and raise her children. In later

years, she jumped at the opportunity to work in the care center where her father-in-law lived.

Connie was a devote Catholic and regularly attended mass at Assumption Church in St.John’s

and then at St. Wenceslaus in Scappoose. She was kind, humble and soft spoken, but always

had a quick-wit that made you laugh!! Connie’s faith in God and dedication to family continues

to be an inspiration to her children.

Connie is predeceased by her spouse Victor Beck, parents Valentine and Leona Thoennes, and a son David Beck.

She is survived by her daughters Debora Wold, Diane Crafton and Annette Sells. One son,

Victor (Paul) Beck. Two surviving sisters, Virginia and MaryAnne. Also 13 grandchildren and 15

great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Clatskanie Room,

4101 NW Skyline Blvd. Portland, Oregon. February 22, 2020 at 12 noon. Visitation will be from

11-12 prior to service. Connie will be laid to rest in Skyline Memorial Garden's Garden Mausoleum next

to her husband.

Remembrances can be made to the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital or to the charitable

organization of your choice.