Louise Elizabeth (Oligschlaeger) Beck

Louise Elizabeth (Oligschlaeger) Beck passed away Sunday, October 27, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri a month away from her 91st birthday. She was born November 24, 1928 in rural Miller County, Missouri on the family farm located on the Osage River. She was a lifelong resident of St. Elizabeth, Missouri, her favorite town in all the world and a town that no one should ever want to leave as she would frequently proclaim. She was the daughter of Henry and Martha (Doerhoff) Oligschlaeger. On May 21, 1952, Louise married Leonard Beck in St. Elizabeth. After more than 60 years of marriage, Leonard passed away on July 12, 2013. Louise was a member of the second graduating class of St. Elizabeth High School in 1946 and was a graduate of what is now the University of Central Missouri. Louise was a school teacher in St. Elizabeth and Meta, before becoming a full-time mother for her five children. She and Leonard enjoyed raising their family on the farm they purchased in 1966 from the Kirkweg family. It was affectionately named the "Poor Farm" by Leonard many years ago. While it may have been poor in soil quality it was rich in constant attention and use. Louise was a devout member of the Catholic faith and loved to attend Mass at St. Lawrence Church in St. Elizabeth. She was a member of the Ladies Sodality, the quilting clubs, and the many other organized groups that were a part of being a resident of St. Elizabeth. She also volunteered many years at the St. Elizabeth Care Center, Red Cross Blood Drive, and the Meals on Wheels program. Louise liked to tell stories of growing up on the Osage River. Many stories were told of the river flooding into the family home including one in which they found a goat standing on a dresser in the house trying to avoid the flood waters. She liked to attend the sporting events of her grandchildren and looked forward to all family gatherings. Those immediate family members left to mourn Louise include her children: Jackie Wankum (Jerry) of St. Louis, Mo.; Doris Ellis of Warrensburg, Mo.; Paul Beck (Janet) of St. Elizabeth; and Greg Beck (Andrea) of Jefferson City, Mo.; grandsons: Daniel Wankum of Minneapolis, Minn., Thomas Wankum (Laura) of St. Louis, Michael Wankum (Margaret) of Minneapolis, Phillip Beck (Danielle) of Columbia, Connor Beck (Macy) of St. Elizabeth, granddaughters: Natalie Clements (Chris) of Minot, N.D., and Emily Lashlee (Robert) of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and six great-grandchildren, Devon Clements, Grace Clements, William Clements, Owen Clements, Julia Lashlee and Lily Lashlee. Survivors also include a sister, Victoria Moore of St. Louis; two brothers, James Oligschlaeger of Licking, Mo. and Charles Oligschlaeger of Boulder City, Nev.; sister-in-law Dorothy Oligschlaeger of Jefferson City; brothers-in-law, Theodore Beck (Christl) of Agawam, Mass.; Raymond Beck (Delilah) of Columbia; Norbert Beck of St. Elizabeth; and many nieces and nephews who were also a big part of Louise's life. Those family members preceding her in death include her husband, Leonard; her son, Philip; her parents, Henry and Martha; her brother, Herman; her sisters-in-law, Eleanor Beck, Bernice Beck, Norma Beck, Pauline Huhman, and Verna Oligschlaeger; her brothers-in-law, Alfred Beck, James Moore, and Herman Huhman. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in St. Elizabeth with Fr. Joby Thomas officiating. Interment will be held in St. Lawrence Cemetery in St. Elizabeth. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., on Tuesday, October 29, at St. Elizabeth Community Center. Memorial contributions are suggested to be made to St. Lawrence Catholic Church for the renovation project or The Bluffs Care Center. Arrangements are under the direction of Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in St. Elizabeth. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.fancher-rekusfuneralhomes.com.