Joan Mary Beckman, 89, longtime Greencreek resident, passed away on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, at Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation in Grangeville, less than three weeks shy of her 90th birthday. Joan was born at Greencreek on Jan. 3, 1934. She was the second of 10 children born to Sylvester and Teresa (Nuxoll) Beckman.
When she was very young it was discovered that Joan was deaf. Starting at the age of 6, she attended the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind at Gooding, Idaho, for 10 years. She excelled in her studies, including lip reading and sign language, and went on to attend beautician school, graduating in 1953. After her schooling was over, Joan returned to Greencreek and began working in the laundry and housekeeping departments at Our Lady of Consolation (later St. Mary’s) Hospital in Cottonwood. She maintained this job for the next 46 years until her retirement in 1998.
Joan was not one to let much stand in her way or slow her down. She had a talent for art including drawing and photography. She was an avid bowler, winning her share of tournaments and trophies over the years. Joan loved to travel and for years would head to Portland to visit friends. She also had a special place in her heart for Saint Gertrude’s Monastery and visited there often.
Despite being deaf, Joan did not miss anything. She enjoyed family gatherings. Her family always relished her fried chicken, which she would cook every Sunday for years. She also spent time steelhead fishing, playing bingo and could even be seen at concerts tapping her foot along to the music which she could feel through the vibrations. Joan loved Christmas and for many years she dressed up as Santa Claus at Altar Society parties and family gatherings. Nothing could bring a smile to her face faster than holding a baby.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Cletus, Jim and Fred Beckman; sister Marge Fettig; sister-in-law Audrey Beckman and brother-in-law Neil Rector. She is survived by sisters Mary Ann Rector and Kathy (Jim) Bone; brothers Louis Beckman, Tom (Marcia) Beckman and Bob (Betty) Beckman; brother-in-law Al Fettig; sister-in-law Rose Lewis, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Joan was a member of the Saint Anthony Altar Society and a lifelong parishioner of Saint Anthony Catholic Parish at Greencreek.
There will be a viewing from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 20, at Blackmer Funeral Home, 305 N. Mill St., Grangeville. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m., preceded by a rosary at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 21, at Saint Anthony Catholic Church, 1070 Greencreek Road, Greencreek. Burial will follow at the Greencreek Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made to the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation. Blackmer Funeral Home of Grangeville is in charge of arrangements. Send condolences to the family at blackmerfuneralhome.com.
Joan’s family would like to thank the staff at Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation as well as family and friends who provided excellent care for many years.
