Mary Elizabeth Darnall Beek was born October 22, 1921 in Larned KS. Her parents, Warham and Hester Dorr Darnall, had six children of which she was the youngest. They also cared for two of her cousins, bringing the family total to ten. Warham died when Mom was six. The family stayed in the Larned area until the late 30s. Hester then packed up the family (Marvin,Martin,and Mom} and moved to Chivington, CO. for a few months before school started; then on to Cheyenne Wells for high school where Mary graduated in 1940.


Mom started driving tractor for her brothers at a young age. After graduating she worked at the Stegman Grocery Store, UP caf and the hospital.


Mary married Harold Beek December 16, 1943 in Sharon Springs KS. To propose, Mom sent a note home on the school bus with Harolds brother Ralph. It said, It sure would be a good day to get married: its Mothers birthday. Harold had no objections, so later that night they gathered a few friends for witnesses, drove to Sharon Springs, KS., woke up the Methodist minister, and were married in the parsonage. Later, Dad was moving Moms belongings into their new home, [a one-room trailer] on the Herman Beek place where he lived, but the trailer came unhitched from the car during transport. In the back of the trailer, Moms cat was also making the journey. Dad got the trailer stopped, but the cat streaked out of the box and darted across the pasture never to be seen again!


To this union four children were born: Cathileen, Carey, Karen, and Lynn. Marys career began when she married; she loved everything about farming and ranching. She was Harolds right hand! When Dad was drafted into the army Mom stayed in the little trailer to help Mom and Pop Beek with the chores, field work, and cattle. Mom needed a better vehicle to do this work so she went to see Slim Korrell the international dealer in town. He had one international pickup on the lot, but several people wanted it. To remedy the problem, Slim put everyones name in a hat and Mom won. The men were mad and thought it was ridiculous that a woman would need a pickup. Slim said, Mary does as much farm work as any of you! She needs that pickup. Needless to say Dad was pretty pleased when he returned.


Mom was a wonderful wife and excellent mother. Her thoughtful care for her husband and children will always be remembered. One summer morning Dad and Lynn had been out checking cows. When they returned, Lynn was carrying a gas funnel full of cactus blooms for Mom. She was thrilled over them and mentioned it year after year. It was the little things that meant so much to her. Mom was our spiritual guide and teacher. She never had a bad word for anyone and was eager to help whenever she could. She also had a knack for knowing when we were up to mischief; many times mom would ask, Hows that bump? or How bad a cut is it? without even looking at us. One of Lynns last spankings, he tried to run away from mom but discovered that she was still able to out-race him! She was very supportive of any idea we had, and many times went without sleep out of concern for us.


The great outdoors was Moms sanctuary. She preferred to be outside even if it was working in the field, or working with cattle. Some of the things mom loved in her sanctuary was the sunrises, sunsets, the heavens at night, birds singing, the beautiful wild flowers in the spring, and the baby calves playing in the pasture. It broke her heart when she would run over a bird nest or rabbit nest in the field. She could forecast the weather with the best of forecasters like Don Day. Dad used to get so aggravated at her when she would predict tornadoes, bad storms, or hail just by looking at the clouds. He stopped gripping after weathering his first tornado that mom predicted. She taught us all to watch the clouds and know which were dangerous. On November 3 we always corralled the cows whether the forecast was calling for bad weather or not. Several times, Mom was right and we did have a storm.


Not only was Mary a great mom, but the family couldnt have created a better grandma. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly, and to show it did what only the best doshe always made sure there was soda, ice cream, or popsicles in the house. Her 7 grandchildren and 8 great- grandchildren were the apples of her eye. She loved having them around and doing things with them: making cookies, playing pitch, or having a sleepover. Each memory was special to her and the grandkids.


During the last two years of her life, Mary lived at Cheyenne Manor because of her poor health, but continued to be cheerfulwith a smile for everyone. Mom departed this life on April 26, at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs. Her family was all present when she passed from this life. Marys husband, Harold; her daughter Carey; son-in-law, Jim; parents; brothers and sisters all preceded her in death. Mary leaves behind her children: Cathileen Beek, Karen Troup, and Lynn and Barb Beek; and her grandchildren with their families: Greg and Kim Troup, Cara and Andy Doerflinger, Raymond and Roxanne Troup, Travis, Kyle, Lucas, and Chase Beek. She will be missed by all.


Funeral services were held on April 30, 2009 at the Cheyenne County Community Building in Cheyenne Wells, CO with Marys daughter Karen Troup officiating. Kelly Beek and George Kemp provided the vocal selections accompanied by Marge Carter. Serving as casketbearers were: Travis Beek, Chase Beek, Kyle Beek, Lucas Beek, Raymond Troup, Greg Troup and Andy Doerflinger. Marys many friends were recognized as the honorary casketbearers. Final committal services were held at the Fairview Cemetery in Cheyenne Wells, CO with Rev. Burry Bessee officiating the committal. Memorial contributions can be made to the Mary Beek Memorial Fund in care of the Eastern Colorado Bank; Box 888; Cheyenne Wells, Colorado 80810. Friends and family can register online condolences and sign the guest book at www.brownfuneraldirectors.com. Arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Brown Funeral Home in Cheyenne Wells, CO.