Alvin Beck

Alvin R. Beck was born October 27, 1926, to Chris and Gertrude Hutchison Beck, in Swea City, Iowa. Alvin had a great love for flying and at age 16 he received his pilot?s license. He graduated from Swea City High School two years later. Alvin served his country during World War II in the United States Army Air Corps. Upon his discharge he returned to Swea City and entered Upper Iowa University at Fayette, where he coached his own basketball team. On June 2, 1948, Alvin was united in marriage with Dorothy Bleich in Riceville, Iowa. After leaving college, the Becks made their home in Swea City and they were blessed with three children; Judy, Kathie and Lee. While living in Swea City, Alvin drove a school bus, umpired and played baseball, was employed as a tank truck driver for Martin Oil and was a volunteer fireman for ten years. In 1960 the family moved to Sioux City, Iowa where Alvin became a Federal Meat Inspector. Continuing his career for the United States Department of Agriculture, the family moved to Denison in 1964, where he later retired in 1997. In his spare time Alvin enjoyed reading westerns, watching baseball and Perry Mason and spending time with his family. Alvin passed away Sunday, January 20, 2008, at the Manilla Manor in Manilla, Iowa. He was 81 years 2 months and 23 days old at the time of his death. Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Gertrude Hutchison Beck; brothers, Oren and Kenneth Beck; sisters, Elsie Turner and Anna Johnson; and granddaughters, Katie and Kristen Netley. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy; children, Judy Beck of Denison, Kathie and Dick Netley of Omaha, Nebraska, and Lee and Debbie Beck of Elkhorn, Nebraska; his three grandchildren, Eric Beck and Ryan and Chad Nath of Elkhorn, Nebraska; and brother Bill Beck of Swea City, Iowa. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 24, 2008, at the First United Methodist Church in Denison, Iowa, with Pastor Bryan Galloway officiating. Music for the service was provided by Erin Bilsten singing "How Great Thou Art" and "Wings of a Dove" with Nancy Miles serving as organist. Pallbearers included Eric Beck, Chad Nath, Ryan Nath, Mark Bilsten, Korey Jeschke, Berdell Jeschke and James Clark. Military Honors were provided by the American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa. Interment was at Crawford Heights Memory Gardens in Denison. Following the services the family invited everyone to return to the church for a time of fellowship and to share in a meal prepared and served by Staley?s Catering. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements where online condolences may be directed to www.pfannebecker.com .