Wilma 'Billie' Ruth Beck, 90

Wilma "Billie" Ruth Beck, 90, “went to sit at the feet of her Savior” on Nov. 28, 2012. She died in North Bend, Wash.

She was born on Nov. 6, 1922, in Zeandale, Kan., to Christian and Marie Beck, and grew up a farm girl, learning how to be a tireless worker.

On July 10, 1948, she married Glen Beck, who preceded her in death in 1981. Glen was the love of her life until the day she died.

She remains a wonderful mother to her son, Greg and wife Cheryl of Whitefish, and her daughter Janice and husband Micheal of North Bend. Her spirit lives on in both of her children, plus six grandchildren, including Brandi Nadeau and husband Fred and Jeremy Beck and wife Rachael, all of Missoula, and 10 great-grandchildren.

For 90 years, Grandma Billie inspired all those she encountered. She helped her husband in their furniture refinishing business in Salem, Ore., from dawn to dark in addition to managing a home and helping raise two busy children. When the family moved to Libby in 1967, she reapplied her secretarial skills at St. Regis Lumber Company until she retired.

After her husband's death she lived with each of her children in Whitefish and in North Bend, blessing children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren alike.

Her grandchildren remember especially her killer biscuits and gravy that were a morning treat when as children they visited grandma's house — then she watched every “Anne of Green Gables” movie with them afterward. As adults, they always could count on a Christmas package of her renowned, homemade chocolate-covered mounds candy and almond rocha.

Her faith was the wellspring of her relationships at work, at play, with family and with friends. She read her Bible voraciously, and spent hours in prayer. She was active in many churches over the course of her lifetime, blessing all those who attended.

Mom dearly loved her family and friends and was always taking care of everyone! She befriended all she met, and with her consistently cheerful and positive attitude she was willing to help anyone in need. Her sense of humor blessed her family and friends each day.

She enjoyed playing cards, gardening, fishing, hunting and reading. She traveled to her homeland, Germany, in 1994, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Her ashes will be laid to rest next to her husband in Libby this summer, surrounded by the love of her family.