Rebecca Caroline Heinitz Kunnary Beck
Rebecca “Becky” Beck passed away on Feb. 19, 2012 in Idaho Falls, Id. at the home of her daughter, Elaine (George) Harris.
Becky was born to John Frederick Heinitz and Gertrude Heinitz Grill in Sugar City, Co on Nov. 17, 1917. The family moved to Helena when she was 12 years old and she attended Helena schools.
She and Raynold M. Kunnary were married in Helena on Sept 6, 1936. Five children were born to this union. The family resided in Montana, Minnesota and New York. Ray passed away in Feb, 1959 and Becky returned to Helena.
She married Alfred Beck of Helena in 1961 which brought two daughters to their blended family.
Rebecca loved music and was a talented musician. As a teenager she played in a family band with her father and brother, Raymond. Her love for music continued through the years by playing the piano and organ for family and friends. She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed quilting, crocheting and crafting.
Becky worked as a waitress for many years and during the construction of Canyon Ferry Dam, operated “Becky’s Café” at Canyon Ferry. When Rebecca became a widow in 1959, she attended Buffalo, NY business school and upon her return to Helena, she was employed by Montana Power Co., The City of Helena and the State of Mt. from where she retired in 1980.
After her retirement, she and Al became “snowbirds” and spent their winters in Yuma, AZ.
She was a member of First Lutheran Church of Helena where she enjoyed Bible study with her friends. After she moved to Idaho Falls in 2008, she was an active member of the “Happy Stitchers” quilting group of First Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Her pride and joy was her large family numbering near 75; five children, 19 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, two step-daughters and five step grand-children.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gertude Grill and Fred Heinitz; her husbands, Ray Kunnary and Al Beck; a brother, Paul Heinitz; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Irene (Leo) Sigety and Glenelle (Joe) Longmire.
Rebecca is survived by her children, Edwina (Paul) Lobb of Alden, Mn., Elaine (George) Harris of Idaho Falls, Id., Matt (Mary) Kunnary of Helena, Mt., Cliff Kunnary and Dona (Alan) Reynolds, all of Kalispell, Mt.; stepdaughters, Trudy (Harry) Angel of Seattle, WA, Julie (Butch) Krutzfeldt of Miles Cilty, MT, along with their families. She is also survived by brothers, Raymond Heinitz of Bozeman, MT and Vic (Norma) Heinitz of Helena; sisters, RedaMae Reinig of Helena and Suzanne Dodge of SLC, UT; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. Friday, February 24th with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. There will also be viewing beginning at 10:00 a.m. with funeral services to begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 25th at First Lutheran Church, 2231 E. Broadway. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Lutheran Church School of Helena, 2231 E Broadway St, Helena, Montana 59601 or Happy Stitchers of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 455 West Sunnyside Road, Idaho Falls, ID 83402. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com
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Allen Stenhjem says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. God Bless..
Allen & Glenda
Bob and JoAnn Longmire says
We are sorry for your loss, we wish you our sincere sympathy.
Dave & Marilynn says
We are with you all in thought and prayer
Love
Ruth Ament Owens says
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Aunt Becky. I always thought she was the coolest aunt and I know my Mom thought the world of her. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Ruth