Mary Jo Beckman

Mary Jo Beckman, 79, died Sunday, September 6, 2009 at her residence in Cedarburg, WI after a long and courageous battle with multiple health issues. She was born January 25, 1930 in St. Joseph, MO, the eldest child of Joseph and Matilda Harris. On September 22, 1951 she married John "Jack" Beckman, started a family and raised six children.Aside from her fulltime homemaker role, Mary Jo found time to volunteer for several church and school functions. She loved singing and was a longtime member of the church choir at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oshkosh. When time permitted, she also was a member of the Oshkosh Antiques and the local Book of The Month clubs. Survivors include six children: son John Beckman II of Columbus, OH; and five daughters Karen (Russ) Varnado of St. Marys, KS; Janet (Andrew) Horan of Appleton; Marilyn "MJ" Beckman of Stoughton; Barbara (Peter) Kaker of Cedarburg; and Carol (Chris) Miller of Juneau as well as 22 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren. Mary Jo also leaves behind three sisters and three brothers: Nancy (Bill) Lutes, St. Joseph, MO; Susan Auten of Paola, KS; Janice (Dee) Minnis of St. Joseph, MO; William Harris, St. Joseph, MO; David Harris, Milwaukee, WI; and Mike Harris, St. Joseph, MO. She was preceded in death by her husband, John F. (Jack) Beckman, her parents, brother Richard Harris of St. Joseph, MO, Godson Steve Auten of Paola, KS and one great grandchild Ian Downey of St. Mary's, KS. Visitation will be held at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home, 100 Lake Point Drive, Oshkosh, WI on Thursday September 10 (Today) from 4-7 with a Rosary Service immediately following. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday September 11 at 11 a.m. at Most Blessed Sacrament (St. Mary's Site 619 Merritt Ave, Oshkosh), the Rev. William Van De Kreeke officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the St. Francis Borgia Catholic School Building Fund in Cedarburg. The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Whispering Meadows Assisted Living residence for the detailed attention paid to Mary Jo during her final months. A special thank you is extended to her daughter Barbara and family who took on the role of primary caregivers for the past several years.

Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home - Westside



100 Lake Pointe Drive
Oshkosh
WI
54904

Thursday, September 10, 2009
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.



Most Blessed Sacrament-St. Mary Site



442 Monroe St
Oshkosh
WI
54901

Friday, September 11, 2009
11:00 a.m.



Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery




Oshkosh
WI
54902