Obituary of Beverly Jean Beckman

Beverly Jean (Gillson) Beckman was born on June 25, 1936, in Pillager, Minnesota, to Jess and Edith Gillson. She and her family moved to a farm south of Pillager in 1939 where she lived until leaving for college in 1953. Beverly attended a one-room school house, Rail Prairie School, from first to seventh grade, and then attended Pillager Senior High School until graduation in 1953. She received a medal from the local American Legion at her graduation which was a real surprise for her. Beverly’s older sister, Dorothy, was instrumental in leading Beverly to a saving faith in Jesus Christ at the age of five. She was baptized in 1943 in Pillager Lake. Her faith was very important to her and guided her throughout her life. It was at the age of five that Beverly began playing piano, taking lessons from her sister, Dorothy. Beverly advanced quickly in piano and at the age of 13 she played for her first wedding. In her high school years, Beverly utilized her vocal and instrumental talents being part of several vocal choirs and ensembles, accompanying choirs and ensembles at school, and playing piano and organ at First Baptist Church in Pillager. After her junior year in high school and many decades following, she played for numerous weddings and funerals. Interestingly, it was a wedding at which she was playing in 1956, that she met the man she would eventually marry, C. Donald (Don) Beckman. In 1953, Beverly began Nurses Training at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, with the majority of her training taking place at Midway Hospital, a teaching hospital in St. Paul. She completed her training and received her Registered Nurse diploma in 1956. From January until June of 1958, she attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. On July 25, 1958, she and Don were married at Crystal Evangelical Free Church (now New Hope Church) in Crystal, Minnesota. They lived in Robbinsdale for about 18 months and then moved to Greeley, Colorado, in 1960, where they lived most of their married lives together. Their son, David Carl, was born in May 1962 and then daughter, Julie-Ann, was born in July 1964; both born at Weld County General Hospital (now North Colorado Medical Center). Beverly worked as a nurse at Weld County General Hospital from 1960 to 1964 and then took on the responsibilities of raising her children. She returned to work in 1987 as a private duty nurse until her retirement in 2011. Beverly had a real passion for missions and for serving in the church. Beverly and Don were significantly involved at Mountain View Evangelical Free Church in Greeley, Colorado, for 48 years. She and Don traveled on a mission’s trip to Ecuador in 1978 and then several mission trips to Venezuela throughout the years. Beverly had the privilege of serving in Evangelical Free Church Women’s Ministries on local, District, and National levels including as a board member for the National EFCA Women’s Ministries. There were numerous Sunday afternoons where visiting missionaries or EFCA leaders could be found joining around the table at the Beckman home. Beverly loved the mountains of Colorado including camping with Don in and around Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. She also loved taking long drives though the Colorado mountains and canyons with Don and also with Julie-Ann. Following Don’s passing in 2011, Beverly remained in Greeley and then moved to Castle Rock, Colorado, in 2012 to live with daughter Julie-Ann Jordan and her family. While in Castle Rock, Beverly attended Ridgeline Community Church where she developed several friendships. In 2021, after residing in Colorado for 61 years, Beverly returned to Minnesota to live with her son, David, and daughter-in-law, Connie, in Andover. She attended Constance Free Church where she was actively involved in Prime Time, serving as the church’s Missionary Correspondence Liaison, and hosting/leading a small group. Beverly loved to watch the Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos, and even became a fan of the Colorado Avalanche in the last few years. Her 80th birthday remained a special memory upon attending a Colorado Rockies game and receiving a special birthday message displayed on the scoreboard at Coors Field. Playing board and table games with others was a beloved pastime with some of her favorites including Quirkle, Splendor and Azul. Assembling puzzles with others including her great-grands—as shown by the puzzle collection in her closet—was another enjoyment. She also looked forward to completing the weekly Sudoku puzzle found in the Anoka Shopper. Beverly loved her family, and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It was a mutual affection! There were many times that if a great-grand was missing, they could be found in Great-Grandma’s room spending time with her. One of Beverly’s passions was studying the Bible. Over the past few years, she began writing whole books of the Bible in her own handwriting. This was one way she used to memorize Scripture in addition to handwritten index cards with Scripture tucked inside her purse. Beverly was not afraid of death yet eagerly looked forward to the day she would enter into the presence of her Lord and Savior and be reunited with others who had gone before her. She passed away suddenly and entered the arms of her loving Savior on Good Friday at 4:45pm on March 29, 2024. It was a good Friday for her, indeed! She is survived by her son, David, and his wife, Connie, of Andover Minnesota; daughter Julie-Ann Jordan of Lone Tree, Colorado; former son-in-law Michael Jordan of Denver, Colorado; six grandchildren Nathan Beckman (Jenny) of Blaine, Minnesota, Noah Beckman (Abby) of Waverly, Minnesota, Rachel Kessler (Samuel) of Hobart, Indiana, Hannah Herman (Seth) of Fargo, North Dakota, Taylor Guzowski (Rory) of Denver, Colorado, and Alexys Jordan of Lone Tree, Colorado; ten great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, and loving friends. She is preceded by her parents Jess Gillson and Edith (Anderson) Gillson, husband Carl Donald Beckman, sister Dorothy, brothers Merlin, Harold, and Marvin. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 3:00pm at Constance Free Church, 16150 Crosstown Blvd NW, Andover, MN 55304. Visitation will precede the service at 2:00pm. An onsite reception will follow the service. Cremation was facilitated through Anderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, St. Paul, Minnesota. Memorial donations may be designated to Constance Free Church Missions.