Obituary, The New Era, Parker, SD dated August, 1911.
Elizabeth Ann Stephen was born in Virgin, Genessee County, N.Y., Aug. 7th 1828 and died in Parker, S.D. July 3, 1911, aged 82 years. She married Wm. P. Beck in Genessee County, N.Y., May 4th, 1850.
From New York, they moved to Galena, Ill and from Galena to Dubuque, Iowa, and from that place to Sioux City in the same state. In 1884, they moved with their family to Turner County and established a home about 4 moules west of Parker. Mr. Beck died there 24 years ago.
Some years later, she moved to southwest Parker, which was her home till her death. Four of the six children living were able to attend the funeral-Will of Grundy Center, Iowa, Mrs. Maite Blake of Monroe and Jay and Frank of Parker.
The funeral was held on Saturday last in the M.E. Church, Rev. H.P. Eberhart, her pastor, officiating. Buried in the family lot in Rosehill Cemetery. A kind, generous, noble Christian neighbor and mother has left us.
[Note: Elizabeth Ann Stevens was born in Bergen, Genesee County, NY. Her parents were Leander Stevens and Rachel Parmalee, a descendent from John Alden and Priscilla Mullins who traveled on the Mayflower]
Newspaper clipping in the family collection, no clear reference available although it appears it was the Press-Leader.
Aged Lady Called to Her Reward
Mrs. Elizabeth Beck an aged and highly respected citizen of this place, passed quietly away Thursday morning, August 3, 1911. Mrs. Beck had been in poor health for some time, but her last illness was of a few weeks duration, beginning with a stroke of paralysis from the effects of which she was unable to rally.
Elizabeth Ann Stephen was born in Virgin, Genesse county, N.Y., Aug. 7, 1828, and had she lived four days more her life would have covered a span of eighty-three years.
At Virgin, N.Y., in 1850, she was united in marriage with Wm., P. Beck and they later moved to Galena, Illinois going from there to Dubuque, Iowa, locating in Turner county where she has since lived in 1884. Mr. Beck dying twenty-four years ago.
There are six children living; Mrs. M.S. Blake, of Monroe, Mrs. Lizzie Hull, of Iowa, Frank and Jay, of Parker, Henry of Kansas and William of Grundy Center, Iowa. All but Mrs. Hull and Henry were able to reach the bedside of their mother during her last illness.
Mrs. Beck was a kind and loving wife and mother, living a consistent christian life. She was a good neighbor and a faithful member of the W.R.C. although not able to attend all of their meetings. She was buried Saturday afternoon Aug. 5, from the M.E. Church, Rev. Eberhart conduction the service at the church and the W. R. C. having charge at Rose Hill Cemetery. A large crowd was in attendance and the floral offerings were many and beautiful.
The pall bearers were all from the G.A.R. - G.A. Segars, D.C Smith, M.N. Huntly, T.Loveland C.M.Pier.
The Press Leader extends most sincere sympathy to the bereaved ones.
Card of Thanks
We wish to thank all those who so kindly assisted at the tie of sickness and death of our dear mother. May God's richest blessing rest upon you all is our prayer.
Mr. Henry Beck
Mrs. M.S. Blake
Mrs. Lizzie I. Hull
Mr. Frank Beck
Mr. Jay Beck
Submitted by family descendant, Phyllis Magelky