Marian Lea Beckner

Marian Lea (Inness) Beckner was born April 19, 1943 in Osceola, Nebraska to John and Frances (Dannelly) Inness. She grew up in Osceola, and attended school there, graduating from Osceola High School in 1961. Marian went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1965. A few years later, she earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. As a young girl, Marian enjoyed playing with her dolls, playing with her dogs and cats, creating in the sandbox, bicycling, swimming, and taking piano lessons. Marian married Raymond Beckner in June 1968, and to their union, two daughters were born: Anne Louise and Emily Jeanne. Marian has made her home in Bellevue, Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, and most recently Bennington, Nebraska. Marian has dedicated her life to teaching since earning her degree. She worked as an elementary school teacher intermittently from 1965 until 1987, and then turned to instructing students who were working toward their GED with Southeast Community College from 1988 until 2005. Marian was highly involved with all of her daughter’s activities as they grew up, and also dedicated time to the PTA at the girls’ schools. She was also actively involved in the Nebraska Democratic Party. She enjoyed antiquing, shopping, cooking, traveling, especially to Colorado in her younger years, and playing bridge with her group of friends, but most of all, Marian took pride in teaching children. She was always cheerful, helpful, and able to cheer others up, and made new friends that ended up becoming life-long friends. Marian held dear some of the important times in her life, such as: graduating high school, the month she spent in Europe with her friend, Chris, her marriage to Ray, the birth of her two daughters, Anne graduating college, Emily’s graduation from the College of Hair Design, Anne’s marriage to Matt, and the birth of her 3 granddaughters. She was fond of Blues music, or something from Willie Nelson, and was happy when she could have dinner at La Paz in Lincoln, or just sit back with a bottle of Coke. She would often be heard musing, “it won’t be like this forever”, or “tomorrow will be another day”, and her pet peeve was when Emily would add too much spice to something Marian already had made. She was a beautiful, loving, kind-hearted, funny, and highly spirited woman, who often said how lucky she was to have a great circle of friends, and she will be remembered for her generous, supportive, and loving friendship to all she knew. Marian passed away on Friday, August 16, 2013 at the Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 70 years, 3 months, and 27 days. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Frances Inness. Marian is survived by her daughters Anne and husband, Matt John of Bennington, and Emily Beckner of Lincoln, grandchildren Kylie, Emma, and Alexandra John, and Jacob Kramer, and sister Jeanne Inness of Chicago. Marian L. Beckner, age 70, of Bennington, died 8/16/13. Preceded in death by parents John and Frances Inness. Survived by daughters Anne and husband, Matt John of Bennington, and Emily Beckner of Lincoln, grandchildren Kylie, Emma, and Alexandra John, and Jacob Kramer, sister Jeanne Inness of Chicago. Memorial service 11 AM Wednesday (8/21) at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, 15050 W. Maple Rd. Gathering with the family from 6-8 PM Tuesday at the funeral home in Elkhorn. Private interment. Memorials to the family.

Marian Lea Beckner

April 19, 1943 - August 16, 2013