Mildred Holmes Bek - Winterset

Mildred E. Bek was born on August 1, 1914 to Lester C. and Elinor (Breeding) Holmes in Jackson Township, Madison County, Iowa. A lady physician by the name of Dr. Jessie (Stauffer) Smith helped Elinor Holmes deliver Mildred into this world. Seven years earlier, Dr. Smith helped Mary Morrison deliver a baby boy who the Morrison family named Marion Robert Morrison, later to be known as John Wayne. Mildred died on October 25, 2014 at West Bridge Care & Rehabilitation in Winterset at the age of 100 years, 2 months, and 24 days. After attending country school, Mildred worked at the Pitzer Telephone Exchange. On February 14, 1934, Mildred was united in marriage to Joseph E. Bek at her parents home. Joe preceded her in death on January 20, 2000. Two sons were born to this union, Ted and Craig. Mildred had many occupations throughout her life, but the one that was the most important to her was being a homemaker, raising her sons. She helped Joe farm, was a 4-H leader, a Sunday school teacher, and helped with Little League Baseball. After Ted and Craig had grown up, Mildred was a store manager in Sioux City, Ames, and Boone. She also had been a travel consultant for Boone Travel Agency. Mildred traveled to six continents and most of the states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Other activities that Mildred was involved with was gardening (she furnished many families with vegetables, strawberries and raspberries) and the First United Methodist Church, being a member of the United Methodist Women. She always enjoyed meeting people and said she never met a person she didn't learn something from them. Surviving Mildred are her two sons, Dr. Ted Bek and his wife Sunni and Craig Bek and his wife Dawn; three grandsons, Jeff Bek and his wife Becky, Nathan Bek, and Skylar Bek; two step grandsons, John Hunt and Rob Hunt and his wife Kristl; three great grandchildren, Morgan Bek, Rachael Bek, and Brian Bek; four step great grandchildren, Jake Hunt, Dannielle Hunt, Sam Hunt, and Emily Hunt; sister, Mary Fife; sister-in-law, Maxine Bruett; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sisters, one brother, and a grandson. A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Tuesday, November 18, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Winterset with Rev. Dr. Beverlee Bell officiating. Music will be played by Meredith Young Easter. Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church. Service: 2 PM Tuesday November 18, 2014 Memorial Service First United Methodist Church Winterset