Obituary of Marjorie S. Beck
Marjorie S. Beck (nee Sommerer)
Marjorie S. Beck, of Joliet, passed away peacefully, at the age of 96, on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at Sunny Hill Nursing Home, with her loving daughter by her side. Marjorie was born in Jefferson City, MO on March 24, 1925, to the union of Adolph and Theresa (nee Erhardt) Sommerer. She was a graduate of Eugene High School, where she was the Homecoming Queen, and attended Joliet Junior College, where she worked toward her Teacher’s Aid Certification. She became a teacher’s assistant at Trinity School in New Lenox and Mary Crest School for several years. Marjorie formerly worked as a Teletype Operator for the Jefferson City (Missouri) News Tribune, the Decatur Herald and Review, and the Joliet Herald News.
In her younger years, Marjorie was involved in the 4H Club. Always the organizer, she was involved in many events. She helped organize many of her high school reunions as well as her parent’s 50th wedding anniversary.
Marjorie was admired by her grandchildren, so much so, that her grandson, Thomas, wrote about their real and embellished letters in his book, “Dear Grandma Margie”.
When her daughter was younger, Marjorie continued to stay involved and took the role as a Girl Scout Leader. As an active member of St. Peter Lutheran Church and later Our Savior Lutheran Church, she taught Sunday school classes, Vacation Bible School, and was involved with the Lutheran Braille Workers. In addition to the numerous church functions, Marjorie selflessly gave her time volunteering at Sunny Hill Nursing Home for over 20 years. In 1999 she was presented with the Schuth “Gratia Deo” Distinguished Volunteer Award for her service there.
In her free time, Marjorie loved to sew and embroider. Some family members and friends were blessed to receive a custom set of embroidered towels on special occasions. She enjoyed traveling the globe with family and friends and had the opportunity to visit many different countries throughout her life.
Hers was a life of service. She said that her father always told his children that they were put here to serve, not to be served…. And that is how Marjorie lived her incredible life!! She will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.
Marjorie is survived by her daughter, Kathleen (Loren) Meisinger; three grandchildren, Sarah (Mike O’Reilly) Meisinger, Leanne (Drew) Shradel, and Thomas (Tracy) Meisinger; four great-grandchildren, Margaret and Emmett Meisinger, and Leland and Henry Shradel; and her siblings, Vernon Sommerer, Cleopha Howard, Lolly Sommerer, Naomi (Louis) Vetter, and Lloyd (Jane) Sommerer. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Edgar; her parents, Adolph and Theresa Sommerer; and her siblings, Felix Sommerer, Mahlon Sommerer, Ehrhardt “Bud” Sommerer, Lillian Kuegele, Elizabeth Williams, and Bea Putnum.
Visitation for Marjorie S. Beck will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, IL, and again on Friday, September 17, 2021, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1910 Black Rd., Joliet, IL, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. In accordance with the State of Illinois guidelines, masks will be required. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park II.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name to Lutheran Braille Workers P.O. Box 5000, Yucaipa, CA 9239, Friends of Sunny Hill, 421 Doris Ave., Joliet, IL 60433, or Calvary Lutheran High School, 2525 State Highway B, Jefferson City, MO, 65101 would be appreciated.
For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
