Charles I. Beck

Charles Irwin Beck, 76, of Blair, passed away of pancreatic cancer, Saturday, June 22, 2024, at his home, under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

Charles was born July 24, 1947, to Leonard and Irene (Trones) Beck, in Black River Falls. He grew up on the family farm in rural Franklin township, Taylor. Charles attended West Franklin Country School in Jackson County for grades 1–6 and graduated from Melrose High School in 1966. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education in 1972, and his Masters degree in 1978, at UW–River Falls.

Charles was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1972. Basic training was at Fort Knox, KY, and he was later stationed in Germany. Charles was honorably discharged as SPEC4 in 1974.

Charles retired from the U.S. Postal Service in Galesville.

Charles’s hobbies included baking, vegetable gardening and tending to his many outdoor flowers and shrubs and was awarded the Blair Cheese Festival Yard Award. He also enjoyed watching and feeding birds and family genealogy.

Charles never married. He is survived by his sister, Roseanne (Greg) Totten of Black River Falls; a brother, Michael (Susan) Beck of Taylor; a niece, Melissa (Jeff) Carter and their children, Emma and Henry of Brewster, MA; a nephew, Tyson (Amber) Knutson of Clear Lake, MN; as well as extended family and “The Gang” at the Common Market in Galesville.

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his grandparents; and a brother, LeRoy, who passed away October 7, 2023, from Pancreatic Cancer.

Visitation and time of remembrance will be held Wednesday, June 26, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., at Friendship First Community Center, 419 South Urberg Avenue, in Blair. A light lunch will follow.

Private graveside services and burial will be at North Beaver Creek First Lutheran Cemetery in rural Ettrick. Military honors will be conducted by the Knudtson-Mattison American Legion Post #231.

Jack Funeral Home in Blair is assisting the family with arrangements.