Kenneth Earl Beck

Kenneth Earl Beck, 70, of Great Falls, a retired Industrial Arts teacher in the Great Falls "public" Schools and US Navy veteran, died of cancer on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at his home.A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. (visitation is 1:00 to 1:50 p.m.) on Monday, January 28, 2013 at First United Methodist Church, 610 2nd Ave. No., Great Falls, MT, with Pastor Terry Turner officiating. Schnider Funeral Home, 1510 13th Street South, Great Falls is handling the arrangements.Ken was born on February 26, 1942 in Anaconda, Montana.He graduated from Anaconda High School in 1960, later attended Northern Montana College in Havre and received his bachelors degree from Montana State College in Bozeman in Vocational Education. He later received his masters in Havre in 1976.He taught Industrial Arts in Great Falls, where he met and later married Lila Knudson.Ken enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1966, and was honorably discharged in 1972.While in the Navy serving at CINCPACFLT near Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, he worked in Intelligence, preparing briefs for the operations in Vietnam.Upon returning from active duty, he and Lila built their home in Great Falls and had their son, Ryan.Ken is survived by his wife, Lila Beck of Great Falls; son Ryan (Amy) Beck and precious grandsons, Evan and Sam; brothers Gary (Beverly) Beck of Missoula and Chuck (Donna) Beck of Bozeman; and numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Violet Beck.In lieu of flowers, memorials in Kens name may be made to Integrated Therapy Works, 800 Kensington, Suite 100, Missoula, MT 59801; Chronic Disease Fund, 6900 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 200, Plano, TX 75024; or Peace Hospice of Great Falls, 1101 26th Str. So., Great Falls, MT 59405; or a charity of your choice.Condolences may be sent to www.schniderfuneralhome.com