Loretta "Lori" M Beck

Loretta “Lori” M. Beck, 82, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2024, surrounded by her children at the Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart, after a short hard-fought battle with cancer.

Born Loretta Marie Berdahl, April 27, 1942, in Dunn Center, ND, to Cleo and Marie (Dawkins) Berdahl. As the daughter of a Depot Agent for the Northern Pacific Railroad, Lori and her siblings spent much of their childhood living in train depots on the prairies of North Dakota. Lori graduated from high school in Elgin, ND, and went on to work for the FBI for the first part of her career. Years later, she landed in Bozeman, MT, where she was very proud to spend several years as the Clerk of Courts for the State of Montana Water Courts.

It was in Bozeman where she was reunited with and married an old classmate from Elgin High School, Mitch Beck, who became the love of her life. After retiring, she and Mitch moved back to New Leipzig, ND, to live out life once again on the prairies of North Dakota. In retirement, Lori enjoyed taking care of her ever-growing garden, playing slot machines whenever she could get away, and doing numerous puzzles over the years. And, of course, spending time with her kids and grandkids.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Mitch Beck; and two brothers, Myron and Jerry Berdahl.

Surviving are three children, Lisa (Laureano) Santos, Derek Burnham, and Josh (Jolene) Burnham, as well as five grandchildren, Kendra, Kyler, Macie, Ella, and Cade. Also surviving are two siblings, Amy Berdahl and Orley (Glenna) Berdahl.

Lori was an amazing woman, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, wife, aunt, and friend to many. She touched many lives with her love and zest for life, and she will be missed more than there are words. The earth got a little darker without her light, but heaven gained an angel.

Per her wishes, cremation will take place, and a celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to: Esther’s House, Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart, in memory of Loretta/Lori Beck, by using the following link: https://foundationforhospice.org/donate/

Elkhart Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements

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