Norma Beckley

Norma Elizabeth Beckley died on March 27, three days short of her 93rd birthday.

She was born to George and Meta Burckhalter on March 30, 1921, in Wheatland, Wyo.

The family later moved to Ritzville in 1928 where her father was employed as a county agriculture agent.

Norma, her brother George and sister Laura, attended grade and high school in Ritzville. She graduated in 1939, and it was in her high school years that she met the love of her life and future husband, Carl Beckley of Benge.

They both attended the State College of Washington “WSU” and graduated in 1943. Norma received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. Carl and Norma attended Stanford University for one year and were married in Palo Alto, Calif., April 20, 1944.

A short time later, they returned to the family farm eight miles southeast of Benge. They farmed together at this location, raising cereal grains, until Carl’s death in 2001. They also raised two children, Gregg and Doug.

Norma was one of the original 38 charter members of the Benge Community Church. She was active in local clubs and activities.

She enjoyed music, her home, art, and her grandchildren. She was an excellent cook and worked very hard at cooking the meals for her family, the hired help and the harvest crews over the years. She kept everyone laughing with her great sense of humor and quick wit. She enjoyed traveling when possible and family gatherings.

It was with great joy she was able to attend, with help from the Courtyard staff in Colfax, the Beckley family farm centennial in August 2013. She was able to visit with many she had not seen for some time.

From 2011 to 2014, she resided at the Courtyard in Colfax. In January 2014, she moved to the Whitman Health & Rehab Center.

She was preceded in death by her husband Carl, brother George and her parents.

Norma is survived by her son Gregg (Lisa) Beckley of Benge, Douglas (Dian) Beckley of Mapleton, Ore: her sister, Laura (Dick) Stilson of Lewiston, Idaho: sister-in-law, Marge (Beckley) Killingsworth of Spokane: six grandchildren, Angela (Jason) Cronk of Garfield, Wash; Brandon Beckley of Spokane; Brooke (Michael) McNeil of Bothell, Wash .; Matthew (Aimee) Beckley of Spokane; Beau (Kristi) Beckley of Pasco; Summer (Rick) Ruzicka of Ritzville: six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Norma’s family would especially like to thank the staff members of the Courtyard and the Whitman Health & Rehab for all of their care, comfort and professionalism during her stay with each, and also to Dr. Parsons and Dr. Johnson and staff at Whitman Medical Group.

The family also thanks Angela Michel for the years of caring for Norma.

A private family memorial service honoring Norma will take place at a later date.

Memorial gifts are suggested to Project ID, a nonprofit organization created to provide unique services for adults with intellectual disabilities, P.O. Box 18703, Spokane, WA 99208.

The organization provides access to Special Olympics sports, specialized job training, family resource and decision making assistance and opportunities for independent living and community integration.

Bruning Funeral Home & Crematory of Colfax has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be left at http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com.