Carolyn L. Beck

Carolyn L. Beck, 89, of Central City, formerly of St. Paul, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 23, 2025, surrounded by family.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul.

Reverends John Doolittle and Richard Kothe officiated.

Kay Meyer was the organist.

Congregational hymns included “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “Amazing Grace,” and “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.”

Recorded selections included “How Great Thou Art” by Elvis Presley and “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban.

Jeremy Jepson, Trevor Huffaker, Devin Jepson, Zach Beck, Brayden Roberson, and Doug Swanson were the casket bearers.

Burial was in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation, the American Cancer Society, or to Christ Lutheran Church.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Carolyn was born on December 18, 1935, at Hendley, the daughter of Edwin and Glenva (Martin) Wolzen. It was in Beaver City that she grew up and received her education, graduating from Beaver City High School in 1953.

She was united in marriage to Dean A. Beck on December 19, 1954 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Hendley. The couple first lived in Orleans and later moved to Holdrege and Cozad. In 1965, the couple moved to St. Paul, where they raised their seven children.

Carolyn worked for many years at McCain’s in Grand Island, until her retirement. Her retirement didn’t last long, as she couldn’t sit still, so she went back to work at the Mainstreet Playhouse in St. Paul, where the children referred to her as “Grandma Carolyn.”

Dean died on September 10, 2008. Carolyn continued to work at the daycare. In 2020, she moved to Central City, where she lived the majority of her remaining years with her daughter and son-inlaw, Susan and Rick.

She was a longtime member of Christ Lutheran Church and its Ladies Aide. Carolyn enjoyed camping with family and friends. She was a great woman of faith who dearly loved all her family and her church meant the world to her. She was truly one of the most loving and forgiving women you could ever find.

She is survived by her children and spouses, Karen and Randy Syas of Omaha, Deb and Willard Pedersen of St. Paul, Jim and Angie Beck of Alliance, Susan Beck and Rick Hieb of Central City, Lori and Dan Graves of Omaha, Craig Beck and Deb Gentry of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Kurt and Elizabeth Beck of Omaha; twenty grandchildren; thirty-four great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren; sister, Joyce Beck of Rapid City, South Dakota; brother, Kent Wolzen of Papillion; sistersin- law, Kathy Wolzen of Wells, Nevada and Nancy Wolzen of Beatrice; and her dear friends and former neighbors, Doug and Julie Swanson of St. Paul.

In addition to her husband, Dean, she was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Ralph Hinkle; great-granddaughter, Celena Jones; four brothers, Jerry, Neil, Dick, and Dennis Wolzen; and sister-in-law, Dr. Kris Wolzen.

Condolences and memories may be shared with Carolyn’s family by visiting www.petersfuneralhome. net.