Celebrating the life of Norma Jean (Feekin) Van Beck
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Obituary for Norma Jean (Feekin) Van Beck
Norma Jean (Feekin) Van Beck passed away Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Memorial Hermann Hospice in Houston, Texas. She was 89 years, 7 months and 13 days old. Mrs. Van Beck was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on July 30, 1928, the daughter of Frederick Wesley and Goldie Bell Feekin. Norma grew up in Council Bluffs, graduated from the Thomas Jefferson High School and was employed at J. C. Penney in Omaha. On October 8, 1950, Norma married Anthony Robert Van Beck at the Fifth Avenue Methodist Church in Council Bluffs. The couple enjoyed dancing for many years. Norma was also skilled at furniture refinishing, enjoyed needle point, and reading. Her favorite pastime was conversing with her close Avoca friends, particularly Marilyn Woltmann and the late Velma Bledsoe. In later years she enjoyed watching her grandsons play basketball To this union two sons, Todd Wesley, and Scott Anthony were born. Mrs. Van Beck was an active member in the old First Congregational Church, and later in the United Church of Avoca. She served for many years as the President of the Avoca Women’s Professional Association. For twenty-five years Mrs. Van Beck served as the Justice of the Peace and later as Magistrate of the Court in Avoca. Norma also served for many years as a Sunday School and Bible School teacher at the old First Congregational Church. Mrs. Van Beck developed a strong loving relationship with her mother-in-law, Mrs. Mayree Van Beck of Hancock. The two would sew together, cook together, explore recipes together, and read poetry to each other by the hour. In 2014 Norma and Tony left Avoca and relocated to Houston, Texas where they both lived the rest of their lives in the loving embrace of their son Scott and his family. Norma particularly found joy and happiness in all her grandchildren. In Houston, Norma attended St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church where she made many new friends. Norma was preceded in death by her beloved husband Anthony Robert (Tony) her parents, and siblings, Little Wilma, Irene, Arleigh, Evelyn, Louise, Frederick, Dorothy, Donna Lee, Mary Ann, and Michael. Norma is survived by her sons; Todd Wesley (Georgia) of Nashville, Tennessee, Scott Anthony (Sarah) of Houston, Texas; grandchildren; Thomas Anthony, Atlanta, Georgia, Wesley David, Houston, Texas, Helen Mayree of Davis, California, Samuel Robins and Neil Anthony, Houston, Texas; and one brother, William Feekin of Council Bluffs. Funeral service will be held at the United Church of Avoca at 3:00 p.m., on Saturday, March 24, 2018. The family will greet friends at the church from 2:00 p.m., until service time. The committal service will take place at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Hancock, Iowa.
