John was a man of integrity, known for his sense of humor, hard work, honesty, and the high value he placed on a person's word. Throughout his life, he led by example, combining his analytical skills with compassion and an unwavering commitment to help others in need. His devotion to his family, especially to his wife of 55 years, Kay Beck, was profound.
John is survived by his wife, Dolores Kay Beck; children, Randall Beck, Dan (Kristi) Beck, Amie Jensen (Beck), Jackie (Mike) Kayfes; bonus daughters, Anne Marie Erickson and Lynne Lorenz; grandchildren, Kellen Beck, Lyla Beck, Alexa Jensen, Jayme Kayfes, June Kayfes, and Jacob Kayfes; and his sisters, Lois Channel and Delores Heider. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irene and James Beck, and his sister, Joann Schulte.
An alumnus of Blessed Sacrament, Cretin High School (where he was Salutatorian and excelled in football, hockey, and softball), and St. Thomas, John was an accomplished individual from an early age. His career was marked by a notable tenure at North Central Life Insurance, where he rose to the position of Executive Vice President after passing all his Actuarial Exams and becoming a fellow in the Society of Actuaries. He was deeply respected and loved in all his professional roles.
John's faith was a cornerstone of his life, reflected in his devotion and service at many churches throughout his life, including Saint Pascals, Guardian Angels, Saint Ambrose, and Saint Therese. His hobbies included a lifelong love for animals, sports, golf, and spending weekends at the cabin. He also enjoyed building and fixing things, and above all, cherished time with his family. His most important lesson to his kids was to teach them they are children of God, each special in their own ways, and he loved them very much.
Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, September 26, 2024, from 4-7 PM and again on Friday morning, September 27, 2024, from 10:00 - 11:00 AM. A service will follow on Friday at 11:00 AM, with lunch to be served at 12:00 PM. All services will be at Wulff Funeral Home in Woodbury, MN.
In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to Alzheimer's and Dementia Research.
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