Garen Dee Beck

February 2, 1947 - June 17, 2016

Garen Beck was born on February 2, 1947 at McCook Nebraska. He was the youngest of 4 children born to Elmer and Mildred Tucker Beck. The family lived on a farm south of Hayes Center until Garen was 12 when they moved to Grainton. Garen had attended school in McCook and Wallace before attending school in Grainton through his 8th grade year. He then worked for area farmers, the Grainton Elevator, and Schrimsher's Grocery Store. Garen was drafted into the United States Army in June of 1968 during the Viet Nam War. While on leave Garen was married to Janice Gartner, his longtime girlfriend, at the Elsie Methodist Church on December 22, 1968. Two daughters were born to this union. Garen was deployed to Viet Nam shortly after the marriage. Garen was honorably discharged in 1970 and they moved to Sterling Colorado where he was employed by Lebsack Feed Yard. Eventually the family moved to Holyoke where Garen worked for the Colglazier family with their farming operation for 27 years. Garen developed C.O.P.D. and was forced to retire in 2007. In retirement he took care of his large garden and stayed busy around his home. Garen and Janice were involved with child care through the years. They helped raise 26 foster children over the years- adopting three of the boys. Garen was suffering from congestive heart failure and died at his home in Holyoke on June 17, 2016. He had reached the age of 69. In addition to his parents, Garen was preceded in death by one sister, Sharon Gibbs. He is survived by his wife, Janice; 2 daughters, Tami Moore and her companion Ed Glennemeier and Julie and her husband Tom Andersen, all of Holyoke; a foster daughter Garen considered very special-Nicole Long of Ogallala. 3 adopted sons- Derek Beck of Ft. Collins, Shaun and his wife Justina Beck of Holyoke, and Phillip and his wife Nicole Beck of Harrisburg Nebraska; 5 grandchildren, Kanyon and Tobin Moore, Braxton Beck, Dustin Andersen, and Brittany Hoilien; 7 great-grandchildren; his sister, Veda Kemper of McCook; his brother, Rudy and his wife Pansy Beck of Wellington Kansas; other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held on Thursday June 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the Grant United Methodist Church with John Long, officiating. Burial will be in the Wallace Morningview Cemetery with a flag presentation. Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.