Mary Beck
ARLEE — Mary Ellen McKeen Beck, 91, passed away Saturday, March 3, 2018, at her home in Arlee. Mary Ellen was born June 21, 1926, in Whitefish to Albert and Margaret Quesnell McKeen.
She graduated from Flathead High School in 1945 and married Morris Beck in Chester, Montana, on Jan. 18, 1947. During World War II (1945), Mary Ellen worked for the Great Northern Railroad. She remained there for nine years. For 18 years she farmed in Kremlin, Montana, moving to Arlee in 1964. Mary Ellen ranched until 1991 and remained a community member until her death, being active in the Lutheran Churches in Ronan and Arlee and a member of the George Ducharme unit 113 American Legion Auxiliary as chaplain and secretary treasurer. She was named woman of the year in 1987.
Mary Ellen is preceded in death by her husband, Morris Beck; her siblings, Lowell, Irving, Edwin, Raymond, Elizabeth, and Ella Mae.
Mary Ellen is survived by her children, Joe Morris, Gerald (Rita), and Lynn (Bryan) Shane, born in Havre; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place with Foster Funeral Home. A private family service is planned for a later date.