1910
Ila
2005
Ila Beckman
June 13, 1910 — February 17, 2005
Ila Margaret Beckman, lifelong resident of Ortonville, died February 17, 2005. She was born June 13, 1910, to Charles and Ethel (Swezey) Sigloh on the family homestead near Wildrose, ND. When she was about two years old the family sold the homestead and returned to Big Stone County where her father had originally homesteaded. There Ila could be raised "in" and on Big Stone Lake (much to her delight).
During her senior high school summer, she attended a Red Cross Life Saving camp. She became a senior instructor and conducted swim classes at several locations on Big Stone Lake.
After graduating from Ortonville High School in 1928, she enrolled in teaching courses at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA. There she became certified as a Red Cross Life Saving Examiner and Life Guard.
In 1930, she married Clarence Beckman. To this union were born three children, Ronald, Lance and Roselyn.
In 1956, she went to work for Montgomery Ward serving as the catalog store manager in Ortonville, Pierre (SD), and Long Lake (MN). Then she went to work in the personnel department at Ward's headquarters in St. Paul. In 1966, she returned to manage the Ortonville store again. In all, she worked for Montgomery Ward for 16 years.
Following her retirement in 1972, she was active in volunteerism, the RSVP program, Meals on Wheels, Northridge, and volunteer driving locally and state-wide.
During those busy years, she found time to enjoy four Elderhostel experiences. She attended the School of the Out-Of-Doors conducted on the Oregon coast, and at three colleges: Suomi College in Houghton, MI, Peninsula College in Port Angeles, WA, and Grand View College in Des Moines, IA.
Ila was a lifelong member of the Ortonville United Methodist church, active as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the choir, and held various offices in the Women's Society, including historian.
Ila was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ethel Sigloh, sister Violet Sigloh, brothers Marion and Boyde Sigloh, daughter-in-law Karen Beckman, and grandson Mark Beckman. She is survived by sons Ron Beckman of Ortonville, Lance (Judy) Beckman of White Salmon, WA, daughter Roselyn Peters of Grantsburg, WI, six grandchildren: LeAnne Walker, and Lynn, Tim, Troy, Todd, and Dan Beckman, 4 great-grandchildren: Tiffany, Travis, Savanna, and Natasha, and 2 great-great-grandchildren: Austin and Desiree.
During her senior high school summer, she attended a Red Cross Life Saving camp. She became a senior instructor and conducted swim classes at several locations on Big Stone Lake.
After graduating from Ortonville High School in 1928, she enrolled in teaching courses at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA. There she became certified as a Red Cross Life Saving Examiner and Life Guard.
In 1930, she married Clarence Beckman. To this union were born three children, Ronald, Lance and Roselyn.
In 1956, she went to work for Montgomery Ward serving as the catalog store manager in Ortonville, Pierre (SD), and Long Lake (MN). Then she went to work in the personnel department at Ward's headquarters in St. Paul. In 1966, she returned to manage the Ortonville store again. In all, she worked for Montgomery Ward for 16 years.
Following her retirement in 1972, she was active in volunteerism, the RSVP program, Meals on Wheels, Northridge, and volunteer driving locally and state-wide.
During those busy years, she found time to enjoy four Elderhostel experiences. She attended the School of the Out-Of-Doors conducted on the Oregon coast, and at three colleges: Suomi College in Houghton, MI, Peninsula College in Port Angeles, WA, and Grand View College in Des Moines, IA.
Ila was a lifelong member of the Ortonville United Methodist church, active as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the choir, and held various offices in the Women's Society, including historian.
Ila was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ethel Sigloh, sister Violet Sigloh, brothers Marion and Boyde Sigloh, daughter-in-law Karen Beckman, and grandson Mark Beckman. She is survived by sons Ron Beckman of Ortonville, Lance (Judy) Beckman of White Salmon, WA, daughter Roselyn Peters of Grantsburg, WI, six grandchildren: LeAnne Walker, and Lynn, Tim, Troy, Todd, and Dan Beckman, 4 great-grandchildren: Tiffany, Travis, Savanna, and Natasha, and 2 great-great-grandchildren: Austin and Desiree.