Dorothy Beck

Dorothy L. Beck, 99, of Highmore, passed away Monday, July 1, 2019 at the Highmore Health in Highmore, SD.

Funeral Mass was held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Highmore with Father Paul Josten, celebrant. Burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Highmore. Visitation began a 6:00 p.m. followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer and rosary service, July 8, 2019, all at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Highmore.

Dorothy Wengert was born March 22, 1920 in Kansas City, Missouri to Raymond and Clara (Strass) Wengert. In 1921, after severe flooding in Kansas City, her family moved back to Sioux Falls, her parent’s hometown. Dorothy attended Hawthorne Grade School and graduated from Washington High School. She then enrolled in evening courses at Nettleton Commercial College while working in the downtown federal building. After a civil service exam, she was employed by the Farm Security Administration and sent to Wessington Springs. While there, she married Harold Brown and son, James Raymond, was born to them.

In 1942, she transferred to Highmore and worked in the Farm Security Office there until the spring of 1946. On December 17, 1945, Dorothy married Matt Cisler and made their home in the west part of town. To this union, three girls were born: Janet Kathryn, Clara Anne, and Carol Jo.

She joined St Mary’s Catholic Church in the early 1950’s and served in officer positions in the Altar Society, Catholic Daughters, and the Legion of Mary. One of her pastimes was making rosaries. Many members of her church and Catholic missions benefited from her beautiful rosaries.

Throughout her life, Dorothy worked at various secretarial positions in Highmore; the Drew/Wright Agency, Ankony Highland Angus Ranch, and the Cowan Cattle Company.

On August 6, 1972, Dorothy and Wendell Beck were married. Upon her retirement, Dorothy enjoyed canning the bountiful harvest from Wendell’s garden and volunteering at the nursing home. It was at this time she was able to feed her veracious appetite for reading. She kept the Pierre library very busy sending her as many as five books a week. Dorothy and Wendell continued to live in Highmore until the end of their lives.

Grateful to have shared in Dorothy’s life included her three daughters: Janet Kathryn (Bill) Millar, Clara Anne Cisler (special friend, Charles Volek); and Carol Jo (Richard) Beck; three stepdaughters; one stepson; grandchildren: Kristin (Jeff) Barker, Stephani (Ryan) Smith, Dan (Amy) Millar, Chad (Jen) Goodrich, Michaela (Boyd) Erickson, Amy (Brian) Nielson, Amanda Goodrich, Brent (Mindy) Beck, Rana (Todd) Yost, and Grant (Mandy) Beck; great grandchildren: Christopher, Bradley, and Erika Barker; Aryana, Austin, Avery, Abby, and Ava Smith; Madison Millar; Alex, Wyatt, and Owen Goodrich; Hayden, Hunter, Gunnar, and Isabella Erickson; Caleb and Brennan Schuette; and Brittany Beck Dickey, Zoey, and Addy Beck; and great-great grandchildren: Story, Sadielynn, Scott, and Shepard Dickey.

She was preceded in death by her husbands; son, James; her parents; brother, Jack; one grandchild; two great grandchildren; and one stepdaughter.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Dorothy’s arrangements.