Mary Beckemeier

Mary Helen (Taake) Beckemeier, 91, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2023, at her daughter Judy's home near Boonville MO following a battle with COPD for several years. A Celebration of Life service is planned for December 2, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Victory Baptist Church, Florissant, MO, with visitation at 10:00 a.m.

Mary was born on March 30, 1932 in Christopher IL, daughter of William Henry Howard Taake and Clara Adelaid (Will) Taake. She was the third of four siblings (Billie Jean Chamblin, Shirley Ann Chester, Frederick Howard Taake). On January 12, 1952, Mary was joined in marriage to Floyd Hill, Jr. Three children were born to this union: Gary Hill, Connie Lynn Hill, and Sharon Kay Ball. Floyd Hill passed away in 1956 due to an automobile accident. On October 30, 1959, Mary was joined in marriage to Wendell Albert Beckemeier. Two daughters were born to this union: Judy Ann Arnett and Carolyn Marie Crowe. This completed their family of five children. Mary and Wendell raised their children in Florissant MO. They lived a life of faith: teaching their children to love the Lord above all else. They were very active in First Baptist Church of Ferguson, MO.

Mary overcame various obstacles in her life but always felt that she was very blessed. At the age of 4, she contracted polio. Due to the tireless efforts of her own dear mother spending hours nursing her back to health, the polio left no crippling effects. As the daughter of a coal miner during the depression, Mary spent her elementary years in Coalwood WV. She had many happy memories of her childhood there. Her family returned to Illinois and in 1950 Mary graduated from Christopher High School. Mary continued her education after high school, receiving her RN in nursing from the Missouri Baptist School of Nursing in St. Louis in 1958. Mary loved being a nurse, working many years at Normandy Hospital and Christian Northeast in St. Louis County. Her love of nursing drew her to continue her education and become a medical nurse practitioner through the nurse practitioner program with City Hospital in St. Louis. Mary worked as a nurse practitioner with City #1 Hospital and then as the first nurse practitioner in the county with Group Health Plan, until her retirement in 1995.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, 3 siblings, 7 sisters in-law, 8 brothers in-law, and 2 sons in-law.

Mary (Mom, Granny, Aunt) will be greatly missed by her children: Gary (Gloria), Connie, Sharon, Judy (Bruce), Carolyn (Rob);

Grandchildren: Sandy, James, Shirlee, Stephanie (Wes), David, Mary (Tyrell), Elizabeth (Phil), Nisha, Tyler (Monica), Laura (Tony), Deanna (Ian), Seve (Brandis), Kaylie, Mason, Jeffrey, Hannah, Deven, Austin;

Great-grandchildren: Isaiah, Daniel, Mikey, Aidan, Devan, Liam.H, Jackson, Liam.D, Gavin, Finn, Sara, Myla, Ollie, Norah, Mathias.

She will also be missed by many dear nieces and nephews. So many were touched by her life "well-lived."

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to COPDfoundation.org.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com