JOSEPHINE BECK

JOSEPHINE BECK 1935 ~ 2026
After a brief period of illness, Josephine “Jo” Beck passed away peacefully, in the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at the age of 90 years. Josephine was born in Warburg, Alberta, on August 19, 1935, to Jacob and Anne Haas. She was raised in Schuler as part of a large family with five sisters and one brother. Times were hard growing up in her early years, but it built a strong foundation of hard work and enjoyment of the simple things, especially family.
Jo went to school in Schuler, and it was there she met the love of her life, Gordon. Together they built several successful businesses in Schuler, and later in Medicine Hat. It is said that behind every successful man is a strong woman, and Josephine was the testament to that statement. While living in Schuler, she was an active volunteer with the Curling Club, CWL and the Community Association. “Boy, could she clear a dance hall when it was time to go home.”
During over 63 years of marriage, they raised a close family, and their legacy includes four children, Brent (Lori), Randy (Lois), Wendy and Todd (Shelley); five grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, Josh (Jennifer) Beck and their children, Dannica, Jase and Shay, Gena Glenn (Andrew) and their children, Gentry, Porter, Lyla, Liam and Rylie, Matthew Beck and his daughter, Lily, Hayden (Calee) Beck and their children, Fletcher and Jetson and Hillary (Chris) Hutton and their children, Macarthur and Theodore. Josephine was also survived by two sisters, Lena Koehler and Jean (Marvin) Fischer; two sisters-in-law, Joyce (Grant) Kirbyson and Dolores Beck along with her special niece, Donna Mae (Richard) Weisgerber as well as numerous other nieces and nephews.
Josephine ‘Nan’ enjoyed every stage of life, but she especially loved when she could hold a new baby grandchild or great grandchild. Jo also enjoyed traveling with Gordon to the Maritime Provinces, Europe (France, Great Britain), Mexico to enjoy the sun, and of course Hawaii, Florida, California and Yuma for over 20 winters. Nan loved to make meals for her family and friends. She was famous in our family for her homemade pickles, buns, ham and cabbage rolls. Josephine was an enthusiastic sports fan. She almost never missed a Medicine Hat Tigers game whether in person or watching on her iPad. Often when watching the Tigers in person, Jo was seen holding a cell phone watching curling or football simultaneously.
Josephine was predeceased by Gordon in May 2017; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Clara and Paul Vaessen, Mary and Emil Gehring, and Isabelle and Len Vaessen; her brother, Johnny Haas; her three brothers-in-law, Harvey Beck, Gene Henderson and Wendell Koehler and her sister-in-law, Alice Henderson.
Mom was a very private person and never liked being the center of attention. As such, we are honouring her request with a small private graveside service held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation in her memory can be made to one of the following: Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation, The Prairie Rose Public Schools (marked Yuill School of Agriculture), The Kidney Foundation, or to the charity of your choice.
To leave a message of condolence you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.

PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat T1A 4C2