Gale Dean Beck, 89, Iola, died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, at Windsor Place.
He was born Nov. 19, 1923, near Adams, on what was to become the family farm, to Russel Dewey Beck and Caroline Blumanhourst Beck. He was the oldest of seven children and an active 4-H member. After graduating from Adams High School in 1941 he worked in the area until he was inducted into the Army on July 23, 1944. He completed his training at Camp Hood, Texas. He sailed for Glasgow, Scotland on the Queen Mary, where he joined the 35th Division, and entered the European Theater in WWII. He was one of 36 men to be an Honor Guard for President Truman in August 1945. He was honorably discharged on June 23, 1946, from the Army.
In August 1946 he enrolled at Kansas State Agricultural College. He graduated in January 1951 with a degree in agricultural administration and was hired by USDA/ASCS(FSA) in Allen County. He retired in January 1985 after 34 years.
In 1954 he joined the Kansas Army National Guard and retired in November 1983 and achieved the rank of sergeant major.
Gale married Joan Beal on Aug. 30, 1956, in Iola. They made their home in Colony before moving to Iola.
He was involved in numerous organizations and accepted leadership roles in many of them. Some of these included NARFE, NASCOE/KASCOE, SAR, Lions, SEK Genealogy Society; Presbyterian Church as member, Elder, Clerk of the Session and choir; 35th Infantry Division; 137th Infantry Regiment; Meals on Wheels; Iola Library home bound book delivery; and VFW.
He is survived by his wife, Joan; his children, Terri Kretzmeier and husband Jay of Iola, Vicki Fry and husband William of Burlington, and David Beck of Iola; grandchildren Elizabeth Kretzmeier, Michelle Kretzmeier, Rebecca Smith, Jeri Edwards, Brenda Johnson, Daryl Beck and Jenna Anderson; great-grandchildren Alexander Smith, Jacquelyn Smith, Eric Hockett, Caleb Hockett, Joshua Hockett and Janie Myrick; two sisters Nora Ellen Allender, Norwich, and Olive Ann McCormick, Kingman; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant sisters, Reba Faye Beck and Norma Mae Beck, brother Eldon Leroy Beck, and sister Bonnie June Robertson Fite.
Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola.
Services are at 10:30 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Iola. The Revs. Kathryn Bell and Dale Powell will officiate.
Burial is in Highland Cemetery, Iola.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church or NARFE/Alz-heimer’s Research.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Gale Beck
