Gloria Beckius
Gloria E. Beckius died peacefully at the age of 89 on Feb. 27, 2022. Her parents were Walter H. and Anna M. Einspahr. She was born Jan. 1, 1933, on an acreage east of Haxtun.
Gloria was baptized and confirmed at Zion Luthern church in Holyoke by Reverend R. Einspahr.
She attended first through eighth grade at District No. 3 in Sedgwick County. Gloria attended high school at Phillips County High School in Holyoke, graduating in May of 1950. In the fall of 1950, she moved to Ogallala, Nebraska, to work at Goodall Manufacturing Company. Later she went to Northwestern Bell Telephone Company as an operator until they went dial.
While working at the telephone company, she met the love of her life, Donald Dean Beckius, who resided in Keystone, Nebraska. On April 14, 1956, they were united in marriage at St. Luke Catholic Church in Ogallala. Gloria was baptized, confirmed and became a member of the church. To the union of Don and Gloria were born two daughters, Kimberly Ann and Brenda Lea.
In March of 1967, the family moved to Holyoke, where Gloria transferred her membership to St. Patrick Catholic Church. She was a devoted member of Altar and Rosary Society where she served as an officer, Paragon Club and Holyoke Lions Club. She also served as a 4-H leader and FHA chapter mother for many years.
Over a period of years, Gloria enjoyed sewing for her girls and herself. She was sure to crochet each grandchild an afghan when they graduated from high school.
As time went on, she decorated cakes of many kinds. For Don’s nieces and nephews, when they were married, each received a wedding cake as a gift from them. They would haul cakes near and far, hardly ever having to do repairs on arrival. Gloria’s latest hobby was scrapbooking and making greeting cards. She could sit late into the night working on them.
Gloria is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Redden of Brush and Brenda Tracy and husband Bruce of Jewell, Iowa; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were here parents, Anna and Walter Einspahr; brother, Eugene Einspahr; godchild, Shelly Hatch; son-in-law, Larry Redden; and husband of 57 years, Donald.
The rosary was held March 3, and the funeral Mass was held March 4, both at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Holyoke, with Father Jerry Rohr officiating. Interment followed at the Holyoke Cemetery.
Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.