Carole J. Beck

Carole Jane (Browne) Beck, age 87, passed away on May 27, 2025 at St. Luke’s Good Samaritan Society in Kearney, NE. Carole was born in Holdrege, NE, on Sept. 8, 1937, to Lorraine and Myrtle (Cunningham) Browne. Though an only child, she had a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and in-laws that supported her and included her in their lives. As a child, she attended school in Axtell, NE, eventually moving to Minden, NE where she graduated with the Class of 1955. That summer, she met Marshall Beck, who had recently returned from the army. They married on Jan. 1, 1956, in the United Methodist Church in Minden. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Geneva and Gibbon, where Marshall taught school and coached. In 1967, they returned to Minden where they raised their three children: Lorraine, Audrey, and Tom. Wanting to be closer to family, Marsh and Carole moved to Lexington in 1995. Marsh passed away in 2006, after 50 years of marriage. Carole enjoyed gardening and canning the fruits of her labor. Her pies were delicious! She loved decorating her home and tending to the needs of her faithful pets. Throughout her lifetime, she was a bus driver, bank employee and fervent prayer warrior, as well as a wife, daughter, mother, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, aunt, grandma, and great-grandma. Family meant the world to her. Carole was preceded in death by her parents, husband, grandson, Jay Racek, in-laws, Harry and Mabel Beck, brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-law Archie and Lois Beck, Richard and Betty Beck, and Donald and Marion Beck. She is survived by her children, Lorraine (Cornell) Loschen of Worland, WY, Audrey (Tom) Downey of Lexington, NE, and Tom (Laura) Beck of Wichita, KS; grandchildren Erin (Scott) Schultz, Jill (Kyle) Starostka, Schuyler Racek, Betsy (Jayce) Dueland, Harrison (Alyson) Racek, Christian Beck, Alex (Lauren) Beck, Alyssa Beck, Nicole Beck, Madelyn Beck, and Jessica Beck; great-grandchildren Brynn and Heath Schultz, Anna, Gunnar, and Ziggy Starostka, Harper Racek, Lennyn Dueland, and Eastyn Green and Wells Racek. She is also survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Hilly and Nadine Beck of Springfield, MO. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 1, 2025 from 4:00-6:00 pm at Craig Funeral Home in Minden, Nebraska. A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 2, 2025 at 11:00 am at Craig Funeral Home in Minden, Nebraska. Private family interment will be held prior to services at the Minden Cemetery. Memorials in Carole’s honor are kindly suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.

Carole J. Beck

September 8, 1937 - May 27, 2025