Ione Beck

Ione Marie Morgan Beck, age 82, of Ripon, died Sunday, May 25, 1997, at her home.

She was born on a farm about 9 miles east of Ripon on what is now called “Olden Road” on Sunday morning, September 6, 1914, a daughter to Bernard and Lois (Randall) Morgan. Her mother said she saw the name Ione in a newspaper. Ione always lived in the Town of Rosandale until she was married. She has one brother, Bernard Randall Morgan, who is two years younger than she. From the time she was in fourth grade in Wilson School, she wanted to become a teacher. She had to work for her room and board to go to Ripon High School and then to go to Green Lake County Normal School in Berlin, doing the same thing work for her room and board. After graduation she came back home to teach her first three years at Wilson School, Town of Rosendale where she had attended for eight years. From there she went to Eldorado Village School with 27 students in all eight grades. In both places had to build her own fires and get the building warm. She had to carry water into the building to put in the water jar for drinking, and had outdoor toilet facilities. Then, she went on to Woodhull School for one year with 32 students and all eight grades.

After her marriage on July 1, 1939, to Lawrence Beck, she only substituted occasionally for sixteen years. But in 1955, they were living near Brandon & Fairwater, the teacher shortage became so great that she was asked to come back into teaching. So she had to attend summer school, which she did at Oshkosh State College and started teaching in September at Round Prairie School. She stayed there for five years until it was closed. Then she was asked to go to the Alto School, a six room building. She had fifth grade for one year; the teacher returned from a leave and she was sent to Terrace Lawn south of Ripon on KK, as Principal of a two room and teacher of 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th grades. She was there three years, it was closed and had joined the Ripon School System. She chose to go to Ceresco School to teach third grade for eighteen years. So her family of school children became very large. She had many wonderful, pleasant, interesting and exciting experiences. She taught until she was passed 67 and then substituted again for five years. She taught a total of 32 years with many wonderful memories.

Ione was an Art Presenter for 8 years, belonged to A.A.U.W. (American Association of University Women), Ripon Garden Club, Women’s Guild of Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ, Rosendale Center Woman’s Club, did much volunteer work, Ione also belonged to Green Lake Area Retired Educators. She taught Confirmation Classes for nine years at her church, also did some subbing in Sunday School. She has been a bell collector. She loved to travel, her largest and most thrilling trip was to Alaska, for 27 days with her friend, Irene Ehrhardt.