Joy Lorraine Beck, age 92, of Hudson, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2019 at the Comforts of Home Assisted Living in Hudson. 

Joy  was born on April 22, 1926 in Swea City, IA to Archie and Edith (Linde) Ditsworth. She  graduated from Grant High School in Grant Township, IA, and earned a teaching degree form Waldorf Jr. College in Forest City, IA. Later, Joy earned a bachelors degree from Drake University in Des Moines, IA. In 1947, she began her 42 year teaching career in Buffalo Center, IA, before teaching in Algona, IA and Clear Lake, IA. Joy was united in marriage to John Beck on August 12, 1961 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Swea City. The couple moved to Eau Claire, WI, where Joy taught 7th grade world geography in the Eau Claire Area School District for 28 years, reluctantly retiring in 1989. While she never had children of her own, Joy considered the school children her family and kept in touch with many of them over the years. After teaching, she clerked part time at the Putnam Heights Dress Shop in Eau Claire.

Joy’s interest in world geography, and summers off from teaching, allowed her to travel to many different parts of the world, including the Soviet Union, Australia, New Zealand, parts of south, middle and North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and even included a 1,000 mile bike trip across Europe. She also briefly worked for Braniff Airlines in Kansas City between her teaching jobs. Joy was fond of cooking and would occasionally use recipes of foreign foods to serve to her geography classes. Joy’s faith in our Savior Jesus Christ and his providence was the guiding factor in her life. She now joins the company of believers in heaven.

Joy will remain in the heart of her husband, John; nephew, David Perham; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Dorene Duncan; niece, Denise Perham. 

A Memorial Service for Joy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 23rd at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 712 Grandview Drive, Hudson, WI. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment at the Harrison Township Cemetery, near Swea City, IA.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6