Elizabeth ""Beth"" Marie Hecker

Early Life

Elizabeth was born January 14, 1930 in Concordia, Kansas, to Charles and Nora Walsh. One of five children (two boys and three girls) she was a practical middle child who aided her mother in running the home.

She was raised in a proud Irish Catholic Family that carried the Irish mantle of Saints and Scholars which was acquired when Ireland was the beacon of light for Christianity during the Dark Ages.

She gained a love for literature, politics and faith largely from her father.

She graduated from High School when she was 16 and went on to obtain her college degree in History with a minor in English from Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas, in 1950. She taught History and English at Beloit High School, before marrying her husband Lucas

Marriage

Elizabeth married Lucas J. Hecker on June 11, 1955 in Concordia, Kansas.

Luke's brother, Father Adolph Hecker, officiated the wedding. Catherine, Beth's sister, was the Maid of Honor and Luke's nephew Virgil was the Best Man.

Family

Luke and Beth had a few basic principles that guided them with their family.

1. Love God and one another.
2. Be fruitful and multiply.
3. True happiness and good government begins in the home.

Beth considered raising her family her mission field:

She fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, welcomed the stranger, provided clothes to the needy, took care of the sick... Matthew 25:35-36

She believed the hand that rocked the cradle shaped the future. She indeed rocked the cradle and shaped the future with 7 children, 25 grandchildren and 13 (and counting) great grandchildren. Her offspring have pursued careers in the medical, engineering/construction, government (fire, law enforcement, public land management, public utilities), education, business/finance, ministries and communication professions.

She was the very essence of the wife of noble character in Proverbs 31. She brought good to her husband all the days of her life and her children did arise and call her blessed!

Golden Years

After Luke retired and the children had moved on, the couple reinvented their lives to include more church, travel, hobbies and friends.

Beth was very active with Notre Dame serving on the senior group, teaching a bible study and attending daily mass with Luke. She also enjoyed hanging out with the gals in the Red Hat Society and playing Bridge every Friday for over 20 years.

The two became frequent travelers, traveling throughout the United States, Canada and beyond. In 2012, Luke informed the family that he and mom were slowing down and had booked a 28-day cruise to Tahiti (nice way to slow down). Both loved spending time on the open sea.

Beth took up sewing Christmas stockings for the family. Each year she worked on one or more stockings as the family continued to expand.

Nothing gave her more joy then family gatherings. It was always a good time for a family get together. Even when she was dying the family gathered around her and celebrated her life with her! Once home from the hospital she was able to hear the familiar sounds of a house full of family. Her last moments on earth were a celebration of her 90^th birthday. Then she quietly fell asleep in her loving husband's arms of almost 65 years and passed into eternity, leaving a house that she had dedicated her life to making a home, filled with love, peace and gratitude.

Her family misses her but awaits the time when they will be reunited.

""Well done, good and faithful servant... come and share your master's happiness."" Matthew 25:21

""Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."" Proverbs 31:29-31

Visitation: January 16, 2020 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - SW Denver/Lakewood
3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80227

Service of Remembrance and Sharing: January 16, 2020 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - SW Denver/Lakewood
3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80227

Rosary: January 16, 2020 7:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - SW Denver/Lakewood
3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80227

Funeral Mass: January 17, 2020 2:00 pm

Notre Dame Catholic Church
2190 S. Sheridan Blvd
Denver, CO 80219

Reception: January 17, 2020 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Horan & McConaty - SW Denver/Lakewood
3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80227

Committal Service: January 20, 2020 12:00 pm

Fort Logan National Cemetery
3698 South Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80236
(303) 761-0117
https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp