Obituary: Stella J. Hansen Beck

Stella J. Hansen Beck "Grandma Tell" Our dear mother and grandmother Stella Johanna Hansen Beck passed away after a long fruitful life on November 8, 2005 at Highland Care Center, Holladay, Utah. Just a few weeks from her 99th birthday. She was born on December 23, 1906 in Ephraim, Sanpete, Utah, to James Peter and Annie Caroline Thompson Hansen. Loving and kind parents, they taught their daughters to work around the home and also to help on the farm. Stella's mother died when she was 14. This was a great blow to her and she has missed her since. We are happy that she is reunited with her husband, parents and sisters. Stella attended Ephraim Elementary, Ephraim High School and Snow College, where she graduated in May 1926. She taught school for most of her life starting in Axtell and Plymouth, Utah. She taught in Nephi, Utah and they moved to Sandy, Utah where she taught at Sandy Elementary. She became certified in Library Science and became the librarian at Bingham High School, and later at West Jordan Junior High School, where she retired after teaching approximately 42 years. Stella met her sweetheart Clayton J. Beck while attending Snow College. They were married on August 22, 1928 in the Salt Lake Temple and were the proud parents of two boys, Clayton Ronald (Rosalie) Beck and Roger Neal (Louise) Beck. Tragedy struck when Clayton became very ill after 11 years of marriage and he passed away January 17, 1940. Stella was heartbroken and continued to miss him over the many years since. Strong and hardworking, she supported herself and her sons and provided them with a good life. She made sure that she was able to care for herself all of her life and has never been a burden to anyone. She taught her sons to be hardworking and honest, and she was proud of her family and their accomplishments in life. Stella is survived by her sons, their wives, eight grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. They will remember her for the many handmade gifts of quilts, sweaters, pajamas and beautiful knitted afghans. She loved her home in Midvale, Utah, where she was proud of her flower garden and prize tomatoes and she enjoyed her neighbors. Stella was an active member and officer of the DUP. The funeral will be November 12th at the LDS chapel at 1500 East (Altair Dr.) and 8600 South in Sandy, Utah. The viewing will commence at 8:45 a.m. followed by the funeral at 10 a.m. The interment will be at Spring City Cemetery in Spring City, Sanpete, Utah at 2:30 p.m. Gratitude is extended to the many who have helped and cared for our Grandma Tell at Highland Cove and Highland Care Centers, and to Affinity Hospice. You have been angels to her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humanitarian Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or to your favorite charity.